Born to Glory: The Vegas Golden Knights' Historic Inaugural Season
128
Born to Glory: The Vegas Golden Knights' Historic Inaugural Season
128eBook
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Overview
The Vegas Golden Knights' astonishing run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season captured the attention of hockey fans everywhere in 2018. Powered by breakout performances from William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault, veteran leadership from Deryk Engelland and the cornerstone presence of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, Gerard Gallant's team wasted no time putting down roots in the Nevada desert. In their rise from band of misfits to title contenders, the Golden Knights galvanized a new fan base, united a grieving community, and rewrote history to their liking. Packed with insight, analysis and vivid full-color photography from the Las Vegas Sun, this commemorative keepsake takes fans on a journey for the ages, from the expansion draft to the Pacific Division title and beyond, capturing the Golden Knights' memorable series wins over the Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg Jets and more.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781641251846 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Triumph Books |
| Publication date: | 06/14/2018 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 128 |
| File size: | 26 MB |
| Note: | This product may take a few minutes to download. |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Dawn in the Desert
Vegas Golden Knights Fans Make Presence Felt at NHL Awards
By Ray Brewer • June 21, 2017
Los Angeles Kings fans were asked to stand and cheer. Instead, an emphatic chorus of boos exploded inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Next, the public address announcer asked how many San Jose Sharks fans were in attendance for tonight's NHL Awards. There was absolute silence.
"How about the Vegas Golden Knights?" she then asked. The fans in the building, many sporting black and gold Golden Knights gear, went wild.
What a moment in our town's sports existence. No longer are Southern Nevadans forced to root for regional franchises like the Kings. We have our own team, and fans are undeniably passionate about the expansion club.
We've long known the Golden Knights would be our first major-league sports franchise, but with each passing day it gets more real. Today, obviously, was one of the noteworthy moments.
The awards show coincided with the Golden Knights expansion draft, where players such as Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and Nashville's James Neal were selected to comprise Vegas' inaugural roster. Fleury, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, received a standing ovation at T-Mobile Arena, and looked surprised by the support.
It was just another example of how the Golden Knights have captured the attention of Las Vegans.
Many will tell you tonight was significant because the identity of the players was announced. And, don't get me wrong, it was pretty cool to hear majority owner Bill Foley and General Manager George McPhee list off the players one by one.
But that wasn't what stood out the most.
Rather, it was the Golden Knights fans, those diehards who are counting the moments until the season begins and showed up tonight in full force, who were most noteworthy. This is their team and they are taking ownership.
They arrived by mid-afternoon and lingered around the arena in the 110-degree heat waiting to get in. They were vocal when the selections were announced. They made it feel like Las Vegas, in fact, is a major-league city.
"There is a big buzz around the city. Everyone is looking forward to it," said Brayden McNabb, formerly of the Los Angeles Kings and one of the 30 players the Golden Knights added.
Some (I'm guilty as charged) had doubts we could pull it off. The concerns were two-fold.
First, the desert city didn't have enough hockey fans to generate a significant support system, especially for a team not expected to initially be a winner. And, secondly, many of our residents come from other cities and already have another rooting interest.
While those theories aren't necessarily inaccurate, they seem increasingly irrelevant. Locals, everyone from hockey fans to people who simply love their hometown, are jazzed about the addition of the Golden Knights to our area's landscape. That was evident tonight.
"I'm looking forward to seeing our fans' reaction because they have been so dedicated. People are going to be surprised by this team," Foley said minutes before the draft.
Some of the players selected were more noteworthy than others. Some probably won't play a minute for Vegas. They'll be sent to other teams as McPhee continues to acquire entry draft picks by the masses. He wheeled and dealed for 11 draft picks during the expansion process, including two extra first-rounders on Friday.
That will give the franchise the young talent to having staying power. The staying power is what will make or break the franchise.
Residents will pack T-Mobile Arena during the initial few seasons because the team is new and everyone will want to experience a night of major-league sports. But if the team doesn't win, the fans won't come back — it's Vegas, after all, and we only support winners.
Those draft picks will form a young nucleus that can mature together and potentially transform into a winner. In the third or fourth years of the franchise, we'll start to see a team capable of competing for the playoffs. By the seventh season, when Foley has promised a Stanley Cup run, there could be that opportunity.
There also should be plenty of memorable nights against the Kings, a team that appears to be the natural rival. Each time the Kings were mentioned, the chorus of boos followed. At the very least, it's another reason to get excited.
"I will be a rival with my old team," McNabb said with a smile.
CHAPTER 2Gerard Gallant
Head Coach
Head Coach Gallant Sees Bright Future for Golden Knights
By Ray Brewer | October 1, 2017
Gerard Gallant is walking through the Vegas Golden Knights' practice facility when two fans approach him.
"Hey, Turk," one calls out to him.
They ask to take a picture with the NHL expansion team's first coach. He stands between the couple, puts his arms around them and smiles for the camera.
The photo is over, but the introductions are still ongoing, and Gallant is in his element sharing hockey stories.
Like Gallant, whose uncle gave him the nickname "Turk" as a child because he would chase turkeys in the basement, the couple are from Canada. They retired here a few years ago and say they can't wait for the Golden Knights' season to begin this week.
Gallant also is eager to get started. He, too, was dealing with a hockey void after suddenly being fired in November as the Florida Panthers' coach.
* * *
In 2014-15, Gallant's first season coaching the Panthers, they won 38 games — an improvement of nine wins from the previous season. The following year, the Panthers established franchise records with 47 wins and 103 points to capture the Atlantic Division, and Gallant was picked to coach in the NHL All-Star game.
Then, last season, despite a respectable 11–10–1 record, Gallant was fired. He wasn't even allowed to ride with the team after a game in Carolina, and photos went viral online of him returning in a taxi.
"That ownership wanted to go in a different direction. I understood that," Gallant, 54, said. "Sometimes, things don't work out. That's fine. I am not mad at them. It's just disappointing because we had a good group of players. I really felt we could win the (Stanley Cup) in the next two or three years."
Five months later, the Golden Knights hired him.
"He is a great coach. He's a players' coach," said Golden Knights center Jonathan Marchessault, who played for Gallant in Florida. "He's not just a good coach but a good man off the ice, and he's a guy that makes you feel comfortable."
* * *
Gallant says he learned at a young age the value of putting in work for the sport. He expects the same of his players.
When he was a child growing up in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, he spent countless hours at the local rink with friends, and would perform odd jobs there to get extra ice time. He became a top junior player — at age 16, he recorded 60 goals and 115 points in 45 games — and eventually earned a spot in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings.
Gallant wasn't a marquee player, but he was willing to do the little things. As his 1,674 career penalty minutes in 615 games attest, he became a rugged enforcer and, therefore, a beloved teammate.
Those experiences earn him instant credibility with players, many of whom he just met a few weeks ago when the Golden Knights gathered for camp.
"I'm a guy who is 80 percent positive. I am fair," Gallant said of his expectation for players. "I expect you to work hard and compete every day to get better."
* * *
Golden Knights owner Bill Foley says he wants to win a Stanley Cup within six years. Gallant won't look that far ahead.
"I don't even think about the Stanley Cup. I really don't go into a season thinking about that," he says. "I go in thinking, 'Oct. 6 — that's our first game.' Let's compete and battle, and give ourselves a chance to win that first game. Then, we'll worry about the second game and third game."
Even if the team loses this year, that could actually benefit the Golden Knights in the long term. It would help them add to their impressive bounty of draft picks — they have nine extra picks in the next three years, including six in the draft's initial three rounds.
Vegas made three first-round selections in June's draft and is stockpiling quality younger pieces for future seasons. But these players are teenagers, not yet ready for the NHL. In three years, Golden Knights officials believe they'll have one of the game's best young rosters.
But what about this season?
"We want to do what is best for our team and organization in the long term," Gallant said. "We want to be an organization that is respected, works hard, competes and battles."
This isn't a new position for Gallant. In the early 2000s, he was an assistant with Columbus when that franchise made its debut. Gallant was eventually elevated to head coach for parts of four seasons. Columbus never had a winning record while Gallant was there, and it took eight years for the team to reach the postseason.
While some will look at the struggles of Columbus, or other expansion franchises in recent memory, and assume the worst for Vegas, Gallant isn't ready to make the comparisons. He believes they are building a winning franchise with sustainability.
Like Foley, he's convinced free agents will eventually come here because of the warm winter weather and tax breaks. And the Golden Knights' facilities — the City National Arena headquarters in Summerlin and the game-day home, TMobile Arena on the Strip — are second to none.
As Gallant's already learned, there are plenty of great places for a photo.
"There's a real good buzz around this community with our fans," Gallant said. "We're going to give them an outstanding year."
CHAPTER 3Bright Beginning
Thrilling Win Delivers Moment of Joy to Las Vegas After Dark Week
Golden Knights 2, Stars 1 October 6, 2018 • Dallas, Texas
By Jesse Granger
As Golden Knights forward James Neal flipped the puck from his knees — over a diving goaltender and toward the net — he didn't have time to watch where it landed.
Neal crashed face-first into the end boards, but just before the collision he caught a glimpse of Stars fans through the plexiglass. Their agonized faces, halfway covered by their hands in disgust, told Neal his shot had found the back of the net.
The eventual game-winning goal in Dallas gave the Golden Knights a 2-1 victory in their first game in franchise history, but, more important, it put a collective smile on the faces of fans back home.
"I'm glad we could just give people something to be happy about," Neal said. "We went and saw the first responders and are just doing everything we can to help uplift this city and this community."
Neal attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival last Friday and planned on returning Sunday.
"I got a text Sunday night that I was skating by myself in the morning so I didn't end up going," Neal said. "Having friends there at the concert and what happened is just sickening. My prayers go out to everyone affected."
Neal missed attending the concert on the night of what would become the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history because he was busy rehabbing his hand. The winger had surgery in July after breaking his hand in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs and only began handling a puck a week ago.
"I honestly didn't think I'd be starting the season," Neal said. "I just wanted to try to do everything I could to be a part of the first game with this team."
Neal not only scored the spectacular game-winning goal, but also the first goal in team history earlier in the third period.
"He's probably going to be pretty tired tomorrow morning, but he played well and he can capitalize on those chances and that's what a goal scorer does," coach Gerard Gallant said.
The Stars outshot Vegas 46-30, but Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was nearly unbeatable between the pipes.
"Fleury stole that hockey game for us," Gallant said. "He was outstanding. He made some great saves for us and he kept us in it."
Fleury finished with an impressive 45 saves, only beaten by a shot that was tipped on the way to the goal by Tyler Seguin late in the second period.
"It was great to get that first game under our belt, and to win makes it even more special," Gallant said. "We played a great hockey team tonight, so we can look back and say we played one of the better teams in the league, in my opinion, and played toe-to-toe with them all night."
The turning point in the game may have come when Stars' starting goalie Ben Bishop was injured when a puck hit him in the mask. Bishop, who had saved all 12 of the shots he faced to that point, left the game bleeding from his face and was replaced by Kari Lehtonen.
Lehtonen surrendered the two goals to Neal and the Golden Knights completed the unlikely come-from-behind victory. The former Nashville Predator has 238 career goals, including one in last season's Stanley Cup Final, but says the two he scored Friday night were equally important.
"Those are up there with the best of them," Neal said. "I know it's just the first game of the year, but just seeing how happy guys were and how excited everyone was to start the season with a new team with a fresh start (was great)."
The Dallas Stars provided a moment of solidarity before the game when their players skated across the rink and stood behind the Golden Knights during the national anthem. Players know the win is relatively insignificant in the grand scheme of things happening back home.
"It's not a happy ending yet because a lot of people are still suffering," Fleury said. "But for us to be out there and win the first game, I think the guys worked hard all game to get that win. Hopefully that makes all of the people in Las Vegas proud of us."
There isn't a city at the moment that needed something to celebrate more than Las Vegas, and in their first-ever game the Golden Knights delivered.
CHAPTER 4A Golden Night
Vegas Stifles Arizona in First-Ever Home Game
Golden Knights 5, Coyotes 2 October 10, 2017 • Las Vegas, Nevada
By Case Keefer
Within a five-minute span Tuesday night, Deryk Engelland was a catalyst behind the crowd tearing up with emotion and yelling out in euphoria at T-Mobile Arena.
The lone longtime local on the Vegas Golden Knights' inaugural-season roster first touched the 18,191 fans in attendance with a speech to cap a pregame tribute to victims and first responders of last week's mass shooting. Then he roused them with a scorching slap shot that zipped into the net at 4:18 of the first period.
The rare score from the usual defensive enforcer was part of a four-goal Golden Knights blitz in the opening 11 minutes, which led them to a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes in their home debut.
"The guys responded after a nice little ceremony and came out flying," Engelland said. "To just get that lead and that cushion was a big thing."
For those who had eagerly anticipated a major-league professional sports franchise coming to town for years, it was a performance well worth the wait. It only took two and a half minutes of game time before they could celebrate a goal, with Tomas Nosek receiving a perfectly placed pass from Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and rocketing the puck past Arizona goalie Antti Raanta.
Engelland's only shot of the night came less than two minutes later. And then James Neal added his fourth and fifth goals of the young season, the first one on a turnaround and the second powered in after a crease pass from Reilly Smith.
"To be honest with you, I thought the start was going to be real hard for us," Golden Knights coach Gerard Gallant said. "I didn't expect us to start like that. It was a complete reversal."
The Golden Knights have defied expectations so far this young season. Pegged to be the worst team in the league, they instead stand alongside the St. Louis Blues and Toronto Maple Leafs as the only franchises to start 3-0 so far.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Born to Glory"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Las Vegas Sun.
Excerpted by permission of Triumph Books LLC.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Introduction 4
Expansion Draft 10
Gerard Gallant 14
Debut Come 18
Home Opener 22
William Karlsson 26
Marc-Andre Fleury 30
Home-Ice Advantage 34
Pacific Division Champions 38
Malcolm Subbon 42
Deryk Engelland 48
Western Conference Quarterfinals 52
Western Conference Semifinals 68
Western Conference Finals 86
Stanley Cup Final 108
Season Snapshot 122
Conclusion 126