Las Vegas, a city synonymous with neon lights, high stakes, and endless reinvention, was once an unlikely candidate for a major professional hockey franchise. Amid the casinos and showmanship, the idea of ice hockey in the desert seemed a gamble even for Sin City. Yet, in less than a decade, the Vegas Golden Knights not only took root but flourished, rewriting the script for expansion teams and embedding themselves in the cultural fabric of their home. This is the story of how a businessman’s vision, a city’s passion, and a team of underdogs transformed Las Vegas into a hockey powerhouse—and left an indelible mark on the sport.
A Vision Takes Flight
The origins of the Vegas Golden Knights trace back to Bill Foley, a billionaire businessman with a deep love for sports and a bold ambition. A West Point graduate and former Army officer, Foley saw untapped potential in Las Vegas—a city that, by 2014, had yet to secure a team in one of North America’s four major professional leagues. While Las Vegas had flirted with minor league teams and hosted exhibition games, Foley believed it was ready for something bigger: a franchise in the National Hockey League (NHL). His vision wasn’t just about adding a team; it was about giving a growing metropolis a unifying identity beyond its tourist trappings.
Foley’s quest began in earnest in August 2014 when he partnered with the Maloof family—known for their ownership of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings—to launch a season ticket drive. The goal was ambitious: secure 10,000 deposits to prove to the NHL that Las Vegas could sustain a fanbase. Skeptics abounded; hockey, after all, was a cold-weather sport, and Las Vegas was a desert outlier with no deep-rooted ice tradition. Yet the response was staggering. Within months, the drive surpassed its target, amassing over 13,000 commitments. This outpouring of enthusiasm wasn’t just a number—it was a statement. Las Vegas wanted hockey, and it wanted it now.
The NHL took notice. By 2015, Foley’s group had formalized their expansion bid, navigating a rigorous application process that included financial vetting and market analysis. On June 22, 2016, the league’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve Las Vegas as the home of the NHL’s 31st franchise, with play set to begin in the 2017-18 season. The decision marked a historic milestone: Las Vegas became the first city in Nevada to host a major professional sports team, shattering the notion that it was merely a transient playground unfit for such a commitment. Foley’s $500 million expansion fee sealed the deal, and the Golden Knights were born.
Building a Team, Forging a Golden Identity in Las Vegas
With the franchise secured, the focus shifted to crafting a team from scratch—a task entrusted to General Manager George McPhee. A seasoned NHL executive with prior stints in Washington and Vancouver, McPhee faced a daunting challenge: build a roster through the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft, a process where new teams select players from existing clubs under strict rules. Historically, expansion teams struggle, often languishing at the bottom of standings as they find their footing. McPhee, however, approached the draft with a strategic eye, aiming not just to compete but to surprise.
Parallel to roster construction was the creation of the team’s identity. Foley, deeply influenced by his military background, chose the name “Vegas Golden Knights.” The moniker drew inspiration from West Point’s “Black Knights,” blending it with a nod to Las Vegas’ golden allure. “Knights” evoked strength, courage, and a warrior ethos—qualities Foley wanted his team to embody. The “Golden” prefix added a local flourish, reflecting the city’s glitz and optimism. Unveiled on November 22, 2016, alongside a sleek logo featuring a knight’s helmet and a “V” for Vegas, the name sparked immediate buzz. It was bold, distinctive, and unmistakably tied to its home.
The Expansion Draft, held on June 21, 2017, was the first test of McPhee’s vision. Under NHL rules, each of the 30 existing teams could protect a limited number of players, leaving a pool of talent exposed. McPhee’s selections were a masterclass in foresight. He snagged veterans like goaltender Marc-André Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh, whose experience and charisma would anchor the team. He also picked overlooked gems like forward William Karlsson, who’d been underutilized in Columbus, and defenseman Nate Schmidt, a steady presence from Washington. Trades during the draft netted additional assets, including draft picks that bolstered future depth. Critics predicted a middling debut; McPhee, quietly, had other plans.
“The Golden Misfits” and Unprecedented Success
When the Golden Knights hit the ice for their inaugural season in October 2017, expectations were tempered. Expansion teams typically stumble, posting losing records as they gel. Yet, from their first game—a 2-1 win over Dallas on October 6—the Knights defied convention. Dubbed “The Golden Misfits” by fans and media, the roster was a patchwork of castoffs and journeymen who played with a ferocity that belied their underdog status. Under head coach Gerard Gallant, a no-nonsense tactician, they embraced a fast, physical style that overwhelmed opponents.
The season unfolded like a fairy tale. Karlsson erupted for 43 goals, a career high that made him a Hart Trophy finalist. Fleury, at 32, delivered acrobatic saves and leadership, earning the team’s first All-Star nod. The Knights didn’t just win—they dominated, finishing with a 51-24-7 record and 109 points, the best debut by an expansion team in NHL history. T-Mobile Arena, their home rink on the Strip, became a cauldron of noise, its 17,500 seats filled nightly with fans clad in gold and black. Playoff-bound by March, the Knights swept Los Angeles in the first round, then dispatched San Jose and Winnipeg to reach the Stanley Cup Final—a feat no expansion team had achieved in its first year.
Facing the Washington Capitals in the 2018 Final, the Knights fell short, losing 4-1 in the series. Yet the run was transformative. Las Vegas, a city unaccustomed to rooting for its own, embraced the team with fervor. Game nights turned into communal celebrations, with pregame spectacles—knights on horseback, pyrotechnics—rivaling the Strip’s flashiest shows. The “Golden Misfits” had done more than succeed; they’d ignited a hockey culture in a place where ice once seemed alien.
A City United
The Golden Knights’ rise wasn’t just a sports story—it was a lifeline for a grieving city. On October 1, 2017, just days before the season opener, Las Vegas suffered a horrific mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, claiming 58 lives and injuring hundreds. The tragedy left the community reeling, its spirit shaken. As the Knights prepared to debut, they pivoted from celebration to solidarity. Their home opener on October 10 against Arizona became a tribute, honoring first responders and victims’ families. Players wore jerseys with “Vegas Strong” patches, and a 58-second silence—poignant and raw—set the tone.
The team’s response deepened its bond with Las Vegas. Players visited hospitals, donated to relief efforts, and spoke of resilience. Fleury, in particular, became a quiet pillar, his steady presence a comfort to fans. The Knights’ improbable success that season offered more than distraction—it provided hope. T-Mobile Arena morphed into a sanctuary, where chants of “Sweet Caroline” between periods became a ritual of unity. In a city known for transience, the Golden Knights gave residents something enduring to rally around.
Sustained Excellence and Stanley Cup Triumph
The magic of 2017-18 wasn’t a fluke. Under McPhee (later promoted to President of Hockey Operations) and successor Kelly McCrimmon, the Knights built on their foundation. They returned to the playoffs in 2019, 2020, and 2021, reaching the Conference Finals twice more. Roster moves—like acquiring star forward Mark Stone in 2019—sharpened their edge, while homegrown talents like Shea Theodore matured into elite players. The fanbase grew, too, with sellout streaks and a youth hockey boom signaling a lasting shift.
The pinnacle arrived in 2023. After years of near-misses, the Golden Knights captured the Stanley Cup, defeating the Florida Panthers 4-1 in the Final. On June 13, 2023, at T-Mobile Arena, Jonathan Marchessault—a 2017 draft pick and playoff MVP—hoisted the Cup as 18,000 fans roared. The victory cemented the Knights’ legacy, proving their early success was no anomaly but the start of a dynasty. Las Vegas, once a hockey outsider, was now a champion.
A Lasting Hockey Legacy
The Vegas Golden Knights’ journey transcends statistics. In six seasons, they amassed a .614 winning percentage, five playoff appearances, and a Cup—an expansion record that dwarfs predecessors like the 1967 St. Louis Blues or the 1993 Florida Panthers. Off the ice, they’ve reshaped Las Vegas’ identity. T-Mobile Arena, opened in 2016, is now a hockey cathedral, its rafters destined for banners. The team’s $2.7 billion valuation by 2023 reflects its economic impact, while initiatives like the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation underscore their community roots.
More than a franchise, the Golden Knights are a symbol—of ambition realized, of a city’s resilience, of sport’s power to unite. Foley’s vision, once a long shot, sparked a movement. The “Golden Misfits” turned skeptics into believers, and the 2023 triumph etched their name in history. Las Vegas, long a stage for spectacle, found a new script: a hockey town born from the desert, its legacy still unfolding.
