Horton was the victim of a late hit from Vancouver’s Aaron Rome, a vicious collision that left Horton with a concussion. That injury cost Horton the rest of the Final, and another concussion one season later cost Horton much of the 2012 season.
Now, the Bruins forward is back on the ice, in the playoffs and getting set for another Stanley Cup Final, this time against the Chicago Blackhawks. And while Horton’s pain may have been eased by the Bruins winning the Cup in 2011, Horton is eager to get back on the ice.
“It’s definitely special for me to be back, being able to really have fun with it, enjoy it,” Horton said at the Stanley Cup Final media day Tuesday. It was tough that year, not to be a part of it. But everybody wants to be on the ice. They want to enjoy, work for it. I never got a chance to do that. Obviously with the playoffs last year, why I play. I know I really want to enjoy it this time, have a lot of fun. It doesn’t come all the time. I think everybody knows that. I’m just excited to be back and be here with my team.”
Horton has made the most of his opportunities through the club’s first three rounds. Horton leads the NHL with a plus-21 rating, and his 17 points rank second in the NHL behind linemate David Krejci.
