Growing up in Montreal, Maxim is no stranger to the aspirations of becoming an elite hockey talent. Thanks to his recent efforts throughout the years, that dream is about to become a reality.

"I grew up idolizing SHL'ers like Jeff Dar, Riley Raycroft, Ron Mexico and Jay MacDonald. To get a chance to play in the SMJHL, the league where they all once began their legacies as well, is truly an honor that I would've never foreseen coming in my life."

For Maxim, it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows. Coming up from a working class family with a father who battled with alcoholism and a mother who worked 4 jobs just to allow him and his 3 brothers to play hockey, Maxim has had hard work inherited in him from the day he was born.

"I'm the oldest of the brothers. When the family needed a voice and my mother wasn't there, I was always the guy in charge. That's where my natural leadership qualities come from. Years of scraping to get by with nothing but a dream that I worked to the bone trying to achieve."

And its a dream that almost took his life.



It was a dreadful December night and the three Horvat brothers were in a tournament at the old Montreal forum. Road conditions were dreadful, and the Horvat brothers had no chance in hell of getting to the forum by car.

"Our coach called and said the game is still on, even with the weather conditions. There was going to be scouts in the crowd, so we couldn't afford to miss it. We planned and deliberated how we were going to get to the arena until we saw one last bus running on the way to the Forum. We packed up our gear and were ready to hop on"

The bus driver refused them.

"There's too many people on this bus to fit you and your gear, he said"

Knowing his two younger brothers couldn't withstand the cold temperatures of a long hike to the arena, Maxim's brotherly instincts kicked in.

"We loaded up all of the gear into one bag, my bag, and I let my two brothers get on the bus. Then, I started my journey to the arena"


Maxim Horvat made his way, gear in hand, to the old Forum

With the blizzard coming in and visibility worsening by the second, disaster struck. A vehicle sliding on the wrong side of the road struck Maxim and he fell instantly to the ground, shattering his MCL, suffering a major concussion and breaking 4 ribs in the process.

"I was in the hospital and I remember waking up completely thankful I was alive. The first thing my brothers asked me were if I was going to recover in time for the season starting in September. The doctor told me i'd be lucky if I ever played again."

The road to rehab was a long and strenuous one for Maxim, but he recovered in miracle time.

"I remember just working step by step every day, pushing myself just a little bit harder. It's hard to be at an elite level and lose it all and have to work your ass off just to get to the level you were at before the accident. But I feel i'm there, and i'm a better player now."


Horvat is sure to be a mainstay in the SHL in the future

So what can teams and fans expect from Maxim?

"I'm a guy who will sacrifice everything I have for my team. I am willing to lay down my body to block shots, and i'm always the first out and the last off in practice. I feel extremely fortunate and I count my blessings every day that I was given a second chance to do what I love despite being told i'd never skate again. I'll never take anything for granted."

Horvat is a natural leader with a gift for the net. A highly effective two-way forward, Horvat has tore up the minor leagues and has proven to be effective in several different roles.

"I love to contribute to the team any way possible. Hell, if they were to tell me to strap on the pads because they thought i'd be best suited there for the game, i'd deliberate the thought long and hard - chuckles - but all in all, i've grown up a complete player and that's what i'll bring to the SHL with me. A complete package. Someone you can throw out to shut down opposing players, win a key faceoff, and a guy you can throw out when you need a big fight or a big goal."

"I try to model my game after guys like Patrice Bergeron. Guys who don't just focus on doing one role for the team, but giving up any part of their body and using their passion to help the team in any role they're given. I've never been a complainer."

So what would he describe as his weaknesses?

"Sometimes I have a tendency to run out of gas quickly. I try to do too much at once and forget to pace myself, which can sometimes lead to me burning out near the end of the game. It's something I definately need to work on, my stamina and pacing myself better to play a full 60 minutes rather than a strong 20 or 40."

Maxim is the typical working-class-Canadian kid who will put down his life for his teammates type story. Any team to take a shot at him in the SMJHL draft will be gaining a valuable asset to their organization. One things for certain, Montreal, Canada is once again one of the hot spots for SHL-laden talent.

967 words

28 is old you fucking moron

What's your dream, kid?

Hopefully u stay active this time had a great player when active

West Kendall

Rahotep Tutankhamun Right Wing
The Greatest Name Of All

bo$$

Youd look good in a Whalers jersey tbh.