LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Goaltender Carter Hart has agreed to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights, becoming the first of the five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players to land an NHL contract since they were acquitted of sexual assault in a high-profile case.
WATCH | Taylor Rocha breaks down the signing of Carter Hart to the Golden Knights
Vegas announced an agreement with undisclosed terms for Hart on Thursday, the second day after the window opened for the players to sign.
Hart and the others are not eligible to play in games until Dec. 1 as part of the league’s reinstatement process for him, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton.
Hart told reporters at the Golden Knights’ facility in Las Vegas that he wanted “to show the community my true character and who I am and what I’m about."
“The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision,” the team said in a statement. “We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward.”
McLeod, who was also found not guilty of an additional charge of being a party to the offense, signed a three-year contract in the Russia-based KHL. Formenton is playing in Switzerland, though it is unclear if he has an out clause to return to the NHL, which he has not played in since 2022 with Ottawa.
“Each team is going to have to make its own decision," Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday after the NHL's Board of Governors meeting in New York. “They know the rules. And it’s up to them to decide whether or not, subject to those rules, they want to move forward.”
Hart is resuming his career at the age of 27 with the Golden Knights after spending his first six seasons playing for Philadelphia. The Flyers last month ruled out bringing back Hart, whose camp communicated to general manager Daniel Briere that a fresh start was a better option.
That turned out to be Vegas, where at this point Adin Hill and Akira Schmid serve as the goalies.
“I’m beyond grateful, excited and honored to be part of the Golden Knights,” Hart said. “Got a great skate today with (goalie coach Sean) Burke and a few guys.
“It’s been a long road to get back to this point, getting back to playing the game of hockey, the game that I love. I’ve been out of the game for a year and a half now. I’ve learned a lot. I’ve grown a lot. Just excited to move forward.”
The players were charged in 2024 in connection with an incident in London, Ontario, in 2018. The judge overseeing the trial said the prosecution could not meet the onus of proof to convict them and that complainant’s allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges.
The league conducted its own investigation beginning in the spring of 2022 when the allegations came to light. When announcing the reinstatement timeline in September, the NHL called the events that transpired “deeply troubling and unacceptable” and that while they were not found to be criminal, said the players’ conduct did not meet the standard of moral integrity.
The NHLPA at the time said the players cooperated with every investigation and considers the matter closed.
___
AP Sports Writer Mark Anderson and freelance writer W.G. Ramirez in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
-
Jack Eichowl representing Vegas Golden Knights in this year's Stanley Pup game
As if Las Vegas doesn't have enough hockey fever as the Vegas Golden Knights fight for the Stanley Cup, now sports fans will have another game to look forward to, with arguably even cuter players.
Hertl's goal lifts Golden Knights past Hurricanes 5-4 to open Stanley Cup Final
Tomas Hertl took a backhand pass from Colton Sisson with 3:24 left in the third period, lifting the Golden Knights past the Hurricanes 5-4 in Tuesday night's opener of the Stanley Cup Final.
Leaders from Las Vegas, Raleigh make friendly wagers ahead of Stanley Cup Finals
In Las Vegas, it's no secret that the house always wins, but that isn't stopping some friendly wagers from popping up ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Mayors from Las Vegas, Raleigh make friendly wager ahead of Stanley Cup Finals
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley and Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell have made a friendly wager as the Vegas Golden Knights prepare to face the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Finals.
