Goalie Hart Joins Golden Knights Following Acquittal
Goaltender Carter Hart has officially joined the Vegas Golden Knights, marking his return to the NHL. This announcement follows Hart’s acquittal in a high-profile sexual assault case this summer. The Golden Knights confirmed his addition on Thursday and acknowledged his reinstatement by both the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association.
Carter Hart’s NHL Comeback
The Golden Knights expressed their support for the NHL’s assessment and emphasized their commitment to the organization’s core values. Hart, 27, is currently on a paid tryout with the team, which is anticipated to transition into a full NHL contract.
If finalized, Hart will be eligible to compete in NHL matches starting December 1. His previous legal challenges stemmed from allegations involving an incident following the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ontario. Alongside four other players from Canada’s 2018 under-20 world junior team, Hart was found not guilty of sexual assault in July.
Professional History
- Previous Team: Philadelphia Flyers
- Carter Hart’s Draft: Second round, 2016 NHL Draft
- Career Stats: 227 NHL games played, 2.94 goals-against average, .906 save percentage
Prior to the charges, Hart had taken an indefinite leave of absence from the Flyers, who announced in September that he would not return. Unlike others involved in the case, Hart chose to forgo playing overseas and instead trained in Nashville.
Future Opportunities with the Golden Knights
Hart is set to report to Vegas, where he will begin training with the team. Following the guidelines established by the NHL and NHLPA, he is expected to play with the Golden Knights’ minor league affiliate in Henderson, Nevada, starting November 15.
Other Players Involved
While Hart has taken this significant step, the other four players implicated in the case—Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod—are not anticipated to join any NHL teams soon. Although Formenton’s rights are held by the Ottawa Senators, they are unlikely to sign him. Meanwhile, McLeod has recently signed a three-year contract with a team in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
Hart’s journey back to the NHL is closely watched, as many teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, explored signing him before he chose to join the Golden Knights. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for Hart as he aims to solidify his position in the league once again.
