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Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley is serious about the branding of his franchise, asserting his Knights help the downtrodden through helping families and growing hockey in underserved communities while players show high moral conduct.
That’s one of the reasons why the NHL franchise has absorbed criticism for signing goaltender Carter Hart, who was acquitted of a sexual assault charge in July 2025 that were linked to a 2018 Hockey Canada incident.
The 27-year-old Hart made his first start for the Golden Knights against the Chicago Blackhawks tonight.
The team had issued a statement and Hart and head coach Bruce Cassidy have discussed the goalie’s play on ice.
The signing of Hart split many fans.
Only one media outlet had talked with sexual assault victims to get their thoughts on a player accused of sexual assault.
And John Penhollow, president of business operations, told LVSportsBiz.com about a month ago, “We heard from fans who said they disagreed with the decision to sign the player, and we heard from fans who said they supported the decision to sign the player, we respect the opinions of both groups who reached out.”
A sign during warmups supported Hart and another said, “Character off ice matters.”
LVSportsBiz.com did not see any protests against Hart tonight.
A much-improved Chicago club notched three goals on Hart, including a beauty by Blackhawks star Connor Bedard in the third period to break a 2-2 tie.
Vegas’ rookie, Braeden Bowman, shuffled in a goal to tie the game at three with about two and a half minutes left in the third period and the game moved into overtime — a common occurrence for the VGK this season with eight extra time losses.
Both goalies — Hart and Chicago’s Spencer Knight — played well in OT and the game went to a shootout.
Shea Theodore won the game in the shootout’s fourth round and Vegas took the two points to reach 32 with its 12-6-8 record.
Cassidy said Hart made some big saves in OT. The coach mentioned that given the team’s tough losses in overtimes, the team needed the win as much as Hart did. VGK reported attendance at 17,944. Hart’s teammates mobbed him on the ice after the win. In Las Vegas, there was also another type of reaction on social media:
PSA