It did not take long for Vegas Golden Knights fans to be introduced to their latest signing.
It did not take long for Vegas Golden Knights fans to be introduced to their latest signing.
On Thursday, it was reported that the Golden Knights had signed goaltender Carter Hart to a professional tryout. He remains ineligible to play in the NHL until Dec. 1, so Hart will join the Henderson Silver Knights on a conditioning stint when he is first eligible on Nov. 15.
However, Hart was still present at City National Arena while the team was practicing for Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins. After practice, Hart was available to the media for questioning.
“I’m beyond grateful, excited and honored to be part of the Golden Knights. Got a great skate out with [Golden Knights goaltending coach Sean Burke] and a few guys,” Hart said. “It’s been a long road to get back to this point, to get back to playing the game of hockey, the game that I love.”
“I heard nothing but great things about this city and the community, the fan base, the organization, and I got to meet a lot of people here today, and I'm so excited to get the chance to play in front of them and for them and just get to show the community my true character and who I really am and what I'm about.”
The signing of Hart has come with severe blowback from Golden Knights fans and the NHL community as a whole.
Hart is the first of five players to make their way back to the NHL after being placed on leave in early 2024 due to being charged with sexual assault while on the 2018 World Junior Canadian team. The players were ultimately acquitted in July due to a lack of credible evidence, but it is clear fans are not thrilled about Hart returning so quickly after.
It did not stop the Golden Knights and other teams from paying attention to Hart, who chose the team over a surprising number of suitors.
“Yeah, we did our homework. We talked to a few teams, but we really liked everything that's here in Las Vegas,” Hart continued. “They were very forthcoming and honest about everything and and truthful, and the organization management, they've been great to deal with.”
And like I said, I've so many people I've spoken very highly about everything here in Las Vegas and with the Golden Knights that we just felt it was a great opportunity here, and I can't wait to start playing.”
Obviously, the discussion surrounding Hart’s signing dominated the rest of the availabilities.
“Happy to welcome him to our team, to our family. I think we've created a a pretty damn good culture here. A lot of character people in the locker room, a lot of people in the entire organization,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, who said that the players were informed about the front office’s interest in bringing Hart in.
“Listen, I think we all know how well the guys upstairs work and they know what they're doing, right? I think when you speak to people who know Carter, they have a lot of good things to say about his character and who he is as a person,” added forward Jack Eichel.
“We're really looking forward to having him and moving forward. It’s going to be great in the coming time and we're here for him. We're a big family and I think we support each other and, that's the big thing.”
It is clear that the Golden Knights are willing to give Hart a second chance to live up to his potential, even if it will take longer for fans to come around to the idea.
Category: General Sports
