The Vegas Golden Knights have welcomed goaltender Carter Hart to their team following his acquittal from a sexual assault trial related to his time with Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team. Hart, who remains suspended by the NHL until Dec. 1, signed a professional tryout agreement with the Golden Knights, marking his return to the game he loves after being out for a year and a half. Hart expressed gratitude and excitement about joining the team, emphasizing his desire to showcase his true character and move forward in his career.
Alongside four other players, Hart was charged with sexual assault following an incident at a 2018 gala celebrating the Canadian world junior team’s victory. However, all five players were acquitted after a trial in London, Ont. Hart is the first of the group to sign with an NHL team, with another player opting for a Russian league and a third pursuing a career in Switzerland.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated that individual teams have the authority to decide on player signings based on league rules. The league acknowledged the troubling nature of the events involving the accused players but allowed them to re-sign contracts no earlier than Oct. 15, with eligibility to play in NHL games starting Dec. 1.
Hart, who testified at the trial, previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers before becoming a free agent. His signing with the Golden Knights was seen as a logical step given his track record in the NHL. Dan Mason, a sport management professor, noted that Hart’s return to the league was anticipated, and his landing with a U.S.-based team was not surprising due to the lesser media coverage and scrutiny compared to Canadian markets.
The Golden Knights, contenders for this season’s Stanley Cup, have been rotating goalies Adin Hill and Akira Schmid, with Schmid showing strong performances in his appearances. Hart’s addition to the team adds depth to their goaltending roster as they aim for success in the ongoing season.