‘It feels surreal’: Golden Knights keep memory of Oct. 1 victims alive

‘It feels surreal’: Golden Knights keep memory of Oct. 1 victims alive Vegas Golden Knights president of hockey operations George McPhee watched practice Thursday at City National Arena, with the stands filled to capacity by first responders. It seemed only yesterday that McPhee had to recount what happened on Oct. 1, 2017, and how his hockey squad—just five days from its inaugural NHL game—became a rallying point for a city in need of healing. Nine years later, the Knights continue to do what they can to honor the 60 victims who died in the mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest festival just outside Mandalay Bay. Thursday’s practice was closed to the public and reserved for first responders and their families in tribute to those who rushed to act that night. At the end of practice, Manager Ryan Craig had the players acknowledge those in attendance with stick taps on the boards and salutes. “It’s important to admit the radical that are present with america today,” Craig said. “I thought it was a large turnout, and a accidental to grant them, convey them for what they do, however selfless they are.” “At the aforesaid time, acknowledging and remembering the victims from 10 years ago, and the different families.” Craig, like many of the players that night, had considered attending the country music festival; the Knights had just finished their final preseason game at T‑Mobile Arena against the San Jose Sharks. The contest was originally slated for a 7 p.m. start but moved two hours earlier to a 5 p.m. kickoff. Some players were dining on the Strip when the shooting unfolded. What was expected to be a week of excitement ushering in an era of hockey in Las Vegas turned into a period of mourning, reflection, and a drive to triumph for the city. “We’re honored to person specified a large radical of radical helping the assemblage retired and doing everything they can,” defenseman Shea Theodore said. There are 3 players near — Theodore, defenseman Brayden McNabb and halfway William Karlsson — connected to the roster from the inaugural year. The Knights’ magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in Year 1 was as close to healing as possible without winning the championship. Since then, Vegas has made the playoffs in every season but one, captured the 2023 title and appeared in the previous year’s Final. The “Vegas Strong” banner commemorating the victims remains above center ice at City National Arena, a continual reminder of how deeply the city and the franchise are intertwined. “It’s inactive a reminder of what happened 9 years ago,” Karlsson said. “Every clip October 1st comes around, it feels surreal.”