goaltender carter heart joining in vegas golden knights organization, following his return to the NHL after being one of five Canadian hockey players found not guilty of sexual assault charges this summer.
The Golden Knights announced Hart’s addition Thursday and said in a statement that the goaltender has been reinstated by the NHL and the NHL Players’ Association.
“The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and evaluation conducted by the NHL and the NHLPA in their decision.” the team said“We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization since its founding and expect our players to continue to live up to these standards.”
Hart, 27, is on a paid tryout that is expected to be converted into an NHL contract, sources said. If Vegas signs Hart, he will be eligible to begin playing in the NHL on December 1.
Hart was one of five players on Canada’s 2018 Under-20 World Junior team who were found not guilty of sexual assault charges in July. The lawsuit in London, Ontario, stemmed from an alleged assault that occurred after the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala. The players were criminally charged in 2024.
The players were on trial for attacking a woman named EM in a hotel room after she agreed to have consensual sex with McLeod. In her ruling after an eight-week trial, Ontario Superior Court Judge Maria Caroccia said prosecutors did not meet their responsibility in any case, and she did not find EM’s evidence “credible or credible.”
At the time, Hart was the starting goaltender for the philadelphia flyersHe took indefinite leave of absence shortly before the charges were announced, and the Flyers said last month that Hart Will not rejoin the teamUnlike other players involved in the case, Hart decided not to play professionally overseas and instead trained in Nashville.
Sources said Hart will report to Vegas, where he can begin training with the team under terms set by the NHL and NHLPA. He is then expected to head to Henderson, Nevada and get some game action with the Golden Knights’ minor league affiliate starting on November 15.
many teams including carolina stormThe possibility of signing Hart was explored, sources said.
In March, Vegas signed starting goaltender edin hill For an extension of six years. There are also 25 year old players in the team akira schmid Under contract for this season.
Hart was selected in the second round by Philadelphia in the 2016 draft. He has played in 227 career NHL games, posting a 2.94 goals-against average and .906 save percentage.
The other four players in the Team Canada case – Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod – are not expected to join NHL teams in the immediate future, sources said. ottawa senators They own the rights to Formenton, but are not expected to sign him, although other teams have explored the possibility of trading for his rights. McLeod signed a three-year deal earlier this month to play in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.
