As the Knights cleaned out their lockers Tuesday morning, Horvat had a chance to say his goodbyes to many of the players who had participated in making his junior season a successful one.

"It was great to see guys like Muerto and Katsu one more time before they embark off on their SHL careers. I wished them best of luck, being the veterans on the team, and thanked them for teaching me so much during our time together. They will both be great players in the SHL, that's for sure."


Horvat and Muerto built up a close relationship in Horvat's first year as a Knight

The Knights had a disappointing 2nd round, falling to the hands of the Whalers in 4 games after a miraculous comeback from a 3-1 deficit against the Prince George Firebirds.

"As captain, I can't help but feel responsible for the weak push back our team gave the Whalers. However, coming off a gruesome series against the Firebirds, with great goaltending from Slade all year long, we ran into a fresh and very good Whalers team and I know our boys put it all out there. We did the best we could, and we were simply outmatched."

Horvat now shifts his focus onto the draft.

"I hoped to show SHL teams this year that I was a leader and a total team guy. I sacrificed myself night in and night out for the Knights, playing an average of 28 minutes a night in all situations (the highest in the league). I just hoped that I proved to any SHL team out there that I am the type of guy you can play in any situation, a leader, and a guy who will never complain. I will constantly improve and do my best night in and night out for any team who decides to play me, wherever they decide to play me. I like to think of myself as an all-around player, and every championship team needs one of those."


Horvat notched 12 goals in his rookie year with the Knights, good enough for 4th amongst rookies

Now the question that SHL GM's will be asking themselves is: How far, or close, has Horvat been to fulfilling his 1st overall junior expectations? Horvat notched 12 goals and 21 assists for a total of 33 points in his rookie year. A side of his game Maxim believes he needs to work on to truly fulfill 1st overall expectations.

"Points are a big thing in the juniors, that's for sure. Although I am not the type of player who is going to give you Krivokrasov type numbers, I make up for it through my all around play. I am a defensive stalwart, have a very high work ethic, and can chip in with point production as well. Is that enough to make up for the lack of points lost with a pick like, say, Boominen? I guess we'll have to see. I am honored to have been picked first overall in the junior draft, but my next goal is to impress at the combines and prove I am still first overall quality."

Every junior player wants to be the one taken first overall. It's a dream that every kid has. For Horvat, however, the position he is taken in the draft takes a backseat to the team that is picking him.

"As i've always said, i'm a die-hard for the team type guy. Any team who is willing to take a chance on me, whether it be first overall or 30th overall, is going to be getting a guy who wants to win. That's all I want. A team who wants to win. If that means that i'm playing on the 4th line, i'll be the best damn 4th line center in the league. As long as it means we're going to win."


Horvat had a magnificent performance in the Playoffs, notching 11 points in 11 games, including a Hat Trick to lift his team over the Firebirds in game 6

When asked if Horvat had any preferences in the upcoming draft, he responded:

"No preferences. I am just honored to be given a chance to play hockey. Obviously, being taken by a team like the Jets would be a huge, huge honor as they have a fantastic history. Filling the shoes of previous legends to have played for the Jets would be a fantastic honor.

The Rage have had solid ownership for years and, although they are going through a rebuild stage, would be a great opportunity for any player going there.

The Chiefs have always been one of my most respected teams largely in part to a strong ownership group and a fantastic team culture. To be a Chief would also be a large honor.

To be apart of any team in the SHL is my dream. No matter where I end up, i'll be a hard worker and i'll be a complete team guy. I've been contacted by nearly every team in the SHL now, which is a HUGE honor, and i've told all of them the same thing i'm telling you now. The color of my jersey is not one i'll ever disrespect or whine about. Whichever sweater i'm fortunate enough to pull over my head is the one i'll cherish and honor as long as I am part of that organization."

"I am willing to be a 4th liner, a 1st liner, strictly a penalty killer, anything, as long as I help my team win."

When asked what his plans for next year are, Horvat was confident that he would be willing to do whatever his future suitor would like him to.

"If it benefits my SHL club for me to spend another year in juniors, i'd love to come back and help my Knights go for another shot at the championship and to hone my skills. I'll talk with my management team of the future SHL team to figure out what skills they'd like me to work on and i'd hone them at the junior level, all the while coming back to a fantastic locker room and a great Knights team, where I can hopefully captain them to a championship."

"If, however, the team who takes me feels that I am ready for the big step and they could better utilize me in the SHL, I feel ready to make the jump. I want to help them win, and i'd love to go up against the best in the world and develop myself there."

"It'll purely be up to the discretion of my team. I'm willing to do whatever they want me to."

One things for sure: Any team wanting to take a shot at Horvat will be impressed at the enthusiasm for the game he brings to the table, and his unwavering work ethic. Look for Horvat in this years upcoming draft.



<div align="center">Maxim Horvat

Regular Season:
GP: 40
G: 12
A: 21
P: 33
Average Minutes Per Game: 27.28


Playoffs:
GP:11
G: 4
A: 7
P: 11
Average Minutes Per Game: 29.17

</div>

1,153 words, 4 pictures

28 is old you fucking moron

Horvat 1st Overall

Love you, bitch

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Best of luck for the draft...see you there.

Originally posted by McGraw@Nov 12 2013, 10:02 PM
Best of luck for the draft...see you there.

Ditto! Good luck bud

28 is old you fucking moron