In 1993, The Las Vegas Thunder were a professional ice hockey team competing in the International Hockey League, IHL. The team soon folded in 1999, after only six seasons. Since then, hockey has been scarce in the Metropolitan area, making it hard to expand the game that so many people have learned to love.

Rumors of a Las Vegas expansion surfaced in 2014 when a new indoor area was being built along the Las Vegas Strip. Owners and commissioner of the team were quick to deny these claims that were spreading rapidly throughout the US.

Little did these hockey lovers know that in June of 2016, the NHL would expand their franchise again for the first time since 2000. Except this time, they are expanding to Las Vegas, a city without any major league sports teams. The T-Mobile Arena would be the new home of Las Vegas’ hockey team. Choosing a name for the team would be the next step.

Bill Foley, originally from Austin, Texas is an American business man and former attorney. Foley is also the lead investor in Black Knight Sports & Entertainment. Foley originally wanted the name to be the “Las Vegas Black Knights”. This name would be a tribute to the Army Black Knights, his alma mater.

When Foley then hired George McPhee, the former Washington Capitals general manager, they announced that they were working on determining a name for the team. The name “Black Knights” was very unlikely due to various legal issues with trademarks, copyrights, and domain names. They soon came to an agreement to name the team “Vegas Golden Knights”.

With the 2017-2018 season soon approaching, construction workers begin their work on the new training facility right here in Summerlin. Located right behind Downtown Summerlin and Red Rock Casino, this practice facility will have two sheets of ice, and when they’re not being used by the Golden Knights, they will be open to the public.

“I think it [practice facility] has a great location because its so close to everything, especially Downtown Summerlin. I’m really excited also because its not just for the Knights, its also for the community.” said Jack Edlin, a player for the Nevada Storm. 

There are only two things left the Golden Knights need. A coach and players. In the upcoming draft the Vegas Golden Knight’s will be treated as a lottery team, meaning that they will be receiving the same odds of winning as the team with the third-fewest points.

“I think they [Golden Knights] will do pretty well, but saying its their first year, I don’t know exactly how well they will do, but they are going to get some good players from the draft and make a good team out of it.” said Jack. 

The Las Vegas Golden Knights are predicted to begin playing in the 2017-2018 season. They are to be apart of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.