The Vegas Golden Knights hosted a private practice session on Thursday, inviting first responders from the around the community to watch them on the ice at City National Arena.
It was a break from their normal routine, where their practices are open to the public.
“Important to acknowledge the people that are here with us today, the first responders” coach Ryan Craig said after the practice. “I thought it was a great turnout, a chance for us to honor them, thank them for what they do how selfless they are.”
Videos posted online by Vegas writers showed a big crowd at the practice rink. The Golden Knights (1-0-0) host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday (10 p.m. ET, Prime Video, SCRIPPS, KCOP-13, SN, TVAS) in their second game of the season.
The special practice was also a way to honor and recall the victims of the mass shooting on the Vegas Strip that occurred exactly nine years ago on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2017.
“At the same time, acknowledging and remembering the victims from (nine) years ago and their families,” Craig said.
It was on Oct 1, 2017, when a gunman on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, opened fire on the Rt. 91 Harvest Festival of country music just down the Strip from T-Mobile Arena, 58 people being killed and many more injured.
The shooting came just hours after the Golden Knights’ final preseason game and before they were scheduled to play their inaugural NHL game on Oct. 6, 2017 in Dallas.
“When we think of One October, we were new to the city. We just finished training camp that night,” Craig said. “What happened that night was somewhere that me and my wife and the people we’re with may have gone. Even if we had known the city better, it might have been something we attended with training camp wrapping up and the last exhibition game.”
The Golden Knights immediately rallied the around the community, and then held an emotional pregame ceremony on Oct. 11 before their first-ever home game. First responders -- firefighters, police officers, paramedics, nurses, doctors -- stood on the blue line with the Vegas players behind them.
Golden Knights forward William Karlsson, one of the franchise's original players, said he’s reminded of that time each year before the season starts.
“Every time Oct. 1 rolls around it kind of feels surreal, that it happened,” Karlsson said. “Just a reminder to honor the first responders and everything that went down.
“When it happened, I think the organization did a great job and continues to do a great job honoring and remembering.”
