Just months after being cleared of all charges in a high-profile Canadian sexual assault case, Carter Hart found himself in an unfamiliar but welcome position: standing in front of a packed T-Mobile Arena, trying to backstop the Vegas Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup. It didn’t end with a parade. But for Hart, just being part of that moment meant everything.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, the 27-year-old goaltender didn’t hide his emotions. He thanked the Golden Knights fanbase openly, calling their support “outstanding” and “top-notch.”
“My gratitude is at an all-time high,” Hart said. “To be here in Las Vegas, the community is amazing. Just to see how much we mean to them, it’s really special.”
The sentiment carried extra weight given Hart’s long road back to the NHL. He was pulled from the Philadelphia Flyers’ roster in the 2023-24 season alongside four teammates from Canada’s 2018 World Junior team after they were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a London, Ontario hotel room. All five men were acquitted earlier this year. Hart was the only one to play in the NHL this season; Cal Foote suited up for Carolina’s AHL affiliate.
A Tale of Two Playoffs
Hart was spectacular through the first three rounds of the postseason. He posted a .922 save percentage across 16 games, leading Vegas past Edmonton, Dallas, and the Los Angeles Kings. The Golden Knights looked poised to defend their 2023 title. Then came the Stanley Cup Final.
In a cruel twist, Hart turned into a liability. He became the first goaltender in Cup Final history to allow at least four goals in each of the first four games. The only exception was Game 6, a 3-0 shutout loss that ended Vegas’ season at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.
It was a floor-drop of a performance, and fans online were quick to point out the jarring contrast. But Hart’s teammates publicly backed him after the defeat, noting the weight of the entire season — and everything off the ice — on his shoulders.
What’s Next in Net?
Hart is under contract for next season at a bargain $2 million. That figure becomes even more critical for a Golden Knights team that has been burned by Adin Hill’s inconsistency. Hill, who earned a $3.5 million cap hit as the club’s supposed starter, battled injuries and poor form all year. The net is Hart’s to lose entering training camp.
For a franchise built on bold moves and short windows, Vegas needs stability in goal. Hart showed he can be that guy — at least for two rounds. The question now is whether his Stanley Cup Final collapse was an anomaly or a warning sign. The fans, at least for now, have his back.
“The support that we get is outstanding,” Hart repeated, almost as if reminding himself. “It’s really special.”
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