Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week — Linden Horswill
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Linden Horswill didn’t plan on spending his final year of junior playing in his hometown of Nelson.
Or did he?
Horswill decided to test the Junior A market, landing a spot on the roster of the B.C. Hockey League’s Trail Smokies.
However, the move was shortlived as the Nelson native decided, despite having to serve a mandatory suspension for leaving the Smokies team, it was better to play lots in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League than a few shifts in Tier II Junior A.
And boy are the Leafs happy Horswill made the decision to leave Trail.
Horswill has scored in 11 of 13 games since returning and has made the departure of leading scoring Jamie Vlanich a little more palatable for Leafs fans.
However, the latest news is Vlanich is returning to the Green and White after being released by Langley of the BCHL.
Seeing how the Leafs are on the road for two games this weekend in Princeton and Osoyoos, hockey fans can find out a little more about the Nelson Minor Hockey grad in this latest edition of the Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week.
Nelson Home Building Centre Leafs Player Profile of the Week
Linden Horswill
Age: 19
Place of birth: Nelson
Hometown: Nelson
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 175 pounds
Years in Hockey: 14
Hometown: Nelson
Favorite NHL Player: Martin St. Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning
Favorite NHL Team: Edmonton Oilers
Biggest accomplishment in hockey: B.C. Bantam Rep champions 2009
Job: Nelson Home Building Centre
Favourite Music: Country
Facebook or Twitter: Both
KIJHL Stats: 112 games – 28 goals – 58 assists – 86 points
The Nelson Daily: You made the B.C. Hockey League roster of the Trail Smokies but decided to come back to Nelson. Why?
Linden Horswill: A lot of my decision was because Nelson is hosting the Cyclone (Taylor Cup). This is going to be my last year of hockey because I’m going to go to school next year and I wanted to play it at home too.
TND: What does your future hold?
L.H.: I’ve been looking at learning the business my dad owns (Nelson Home Building Centre). It would be nice to get into it but then again I’m not sure if I really want to do that.
TND: What a start to the season it’s been for the Leafs. Then again, there was last weekend with the Leafs losing three straight, although two losses were in overtime.
L.H.: I don’t think anyone thought we’d go through the league undefeated. The way the season looks, we’ve got an experienced team with lots of talent and by the end of the year I think with the veterans we’ve got on our team we’ll be one of the most consistent clubs in the league.
TND: Since you returned from Trail you’ve scored in 11 of 13 games — with 11 points coming since former team scoring leader Jamie Vlanich left for the BCHL. What has been the secret of your success?
L.H.: It’s always nice to be the guy who takes over the scoring, but when someone leaves with the talent of a Jamie Vlanich, someone has to step up and it was me that got the chance to move up to the top line with Carsen (Willans) and Travis (Wellman).
TND: With Jamie Vlanich coming back to the Leafs, what do you think you’ll be put back to the second line?
L.H.: I don’t know what will happen, but after last weekend we’ll definitely have to make some moves. I’d like to stay with Carsen and Wellman. I feel we have the makings of a good line. . .. I’ve always played (through Nelson Minor Hockey) with Carsen and Travis is fast and moves the puck well so it’s been a lot of fun playing together with them.
TND: Where do you hope to be next year?
L.H.: Going to school somewhere, and hopefully, continuing playing hockey.
TND: In five years?
L.H.: Completing some form of education.
TND: In 10 years?
L.H.: That’s too far in the future to think about.
