Canucks' Horvat: 'I think I’m just scratching the surface'

Bo Horvat believes the Vancouver Canucks will surely be rewarded for the investment made in him on his new deal.

The 22-year-old center signed a six-year, $33-million contract with the club Friday, and, despite leading the team in scoring last season, Horvat feels like he's just starting to find his stride.

"I think them signing me to a long-term deal means that they they have a lot of support for me and they believe in me," Horvat said Friday, per Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre. "I'm really humbled by that and, obviously, I respect them for that.

"I think I'm just scratching the surface. I've only been in the league three years. These next six years is where I can really step up my game and prove myself."

The Canucks, like Horvat, are planning on having better days ahead after a rough past few seasons. For his part, Horvat believes a somewhat roller coaster-like entry into the NHL will serve him well.

"I feel pretty confident in this group and myself that I'll be a big part of this team for a while," he said. "I've been through a lot in my first three years: just getting drafted for Cory Schneider (who was traded to New Jersey at the 2013 Draft), going through a 27-game goal slump, starting on the fourth line last year.

"I've been through a lot already. It was a mental grind. I feel I'm ready for this."

"This" as in serving as one of the faces of the franchise, especially with the futures of the Sedin twins not set in stone past this season.

Horvat has averaged 0.51 points per game over his first three seasons.

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