Warrior Bo, Bauer Bo... Which One Is It?

This past summer, New York Islanders forward Bo Horvat found himself in the headlines. Not for a blockbuster trade or an off-ice controversy, but for something far more nuanced and niche: hockey equipment. More specifically, Horvat was the talk of the gear world thanks to a string of offseason ice sessions where he was spotted testing out a variety of sticks, gloves, and helmets, deviating from his long-time partnership with Bauer.

For years, Horvat had been a staple in Bauer’s pro roster, regularly seen using their Nexus line of sticks with his usual consistency. But as the 2024 offseason rolled along, the 29-year-old veteran raised eyebrows by stepping out with gear from other major manufacturers, namely Warrior and True. It didn’t take long for speculation to run wild. Was Horvat leaving Bauer for good? Was he shopping for a new equipment sponsor? Fans and gearheads began dissecting every training clip and practice photo, trying to piece together the puzzle.

As the 2024-25 NHL season began in earnest, the mystery was seemingly solved: Bo Horvat had joined the Warrior family. He debuted in September’s preseason games sporting a full Warrior kit. This was made up of an Alpha One helmet, Alpha LX2 Pro gloves, Warrior pants, and most notably, the Alpha LX2 Pro stick. The only holdover from his Bauer days were of course his skates. For the most part, it appeared that Horvat had fully committed to a new chapter in his equipment journey.

That is, until March 2025.

In a surprising twist that’s since become a hot topic in gear forums, Horvat was spotted warming up for a home game against the Edmonton Oilers using none other than an old Bauer stick. While the exact build of the stick hasn’t been confirmed, the design and graphics were undoubtedly those of the old Nexus Sync model.

Then, as Horvat has done a number of times in his career, he scored a goal that night against the Oilers. A few nights later, in a critical matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, he went on to tally two more goals, including the game winner in what was an important contest for the Islanders' playoff push.

Since then, Horvat has toggled back and forth between the Warrior Alpha LX2 Pro and the old Bauer Nexus Sync. But make no mistake, the Sync has seen the lion’s share of action, and Horvat’s recent production suggests he’s found comfort and success with the familiar curve and flex profile of his former favorite.

This unusual midseason switch has opened up a Pandora’s box of speculation. How many of these old  Bauer sticks does Horvat have stockpiled? Was the move performance-driven, or more about comfort and superstition? Is there any chance that his flirtation with Warrior was short-lived? Could Bauer come knocking once more?

At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. What we do know is that gear choices are usually not purely cosmetic. They matter to performance, confidence, and routine. For Horvat, a player known for his consistency and leadership, the decision to go back to the Nexus Sync might be a sign that he’s chasing every edge possible as the Islanders look to secure a playoff berth.

Photo Credit: Joe Sargent