By ALAN SNEL
LVSportsBiz.com
LVSportsBiz.com photo gallery by J. Tyge O’Donnell
Fans around the world in 120 nations have purchased Vegas Golden Knights licensed logo gear, with VGK jerseys bearing the names of Fleury, Karlsson and Engelland being the top global sellers.
The number 29 jersey of Marc-Andre Fleury, the former Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender whose career has been rejuvenated in Las Vegas, is the top selling sweater in the National Hockey League, said Brian Killingsworth, VGK chief marketing officer.
The Golden Knights’ universal mark has appeal that transcends local and regional interests, with new holiday rollouts such as VGK-branded cigars, VGK adult onesies and the inaugural season book selling for $59.99 getting attention from fans, Killingsworth said.
He estimated that 1,000 of the inaugural season books have been purchased. The book has an app that allows pictures to come to life and allows fans to hear Deryk Engelland’s stirring speech before the team’s first home game last season Oct. 10, 2017 and watch William Karlsson’s dazzling between-the-legs shot that defeated the San Jose Sharks, 3-2, to clinch the best record in the Pacific Division in season one.
While hockey jerseys are a popular item, Killingsworth said a top money-maker are the high-end items like fur coats and robes. Even the Golden Knights jersey/bib kit is an expensive unit, but it is a top-quality jersey and bib combo.
LVSportsBiz.com interviewed Killingsworth before the Golden Knights knocked off the Washington Capitals, 5-3, thanks to two late-game goals by defenseman Nate Schmidt. You can watch that interview here.
Tuesday night, the Golden Knights drew another sellout crowd of 18,275 — near the VGK’s average attendance of 18,283, or 105.3 percent of capacity at the Big Ice House on the strip.
LVSportsBiz.com caught up with several VGK players after the emotional, hard-hitting win over the Caps, who raised the Stanley Cup last time they were in T-Mobile Arena in June. Nate Schmidt:
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare:
Cody Eakin:
LVSportsBiz.com also chatted with Golden Knights all-purpose media man and VGK insider Gary Lawless about Seattle being awarded the NHL’s 32nd franchise. Here’s that interview.
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