The Vegas Golden Knights came to terms with goaltender Carter Hart of Edmonton, Alberta on an American Hockey League tryout on Thursday according to Ethan Hetu of Pro Hockey Rumors. Hart was found not guilty in the summer for sexually assaulting a woman in London, Ontario seven years ago. It should be noted that even though it was announced that the five players on the Canadian National Junior Hockey Team that went on trial were all found “not guilty,” there was no mention in the court that they were “innocent.”
The reason why this AHL tryout is controversial is because Hart is not eligible to play in the National Hockey League until December 1. Since being found not guilty, the NHL did its own independent investigation and suspended all players on trial for almost the first two months of the 2025-26 NHL regular season. The players were eligible to sign a NHL contract for the first time as of Wednesday.
The fact that the Golden Knights were the only team to show interest in one of the five players is noteworthy. One must ask if their decision will impact their public image.
Here is some of the public reaction so far:
The NHL said that his conduct did not meet their standards.
So what standards do you have @GoldenKnights?
What are your core values?
The NHL said the events were “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
What standards and values do the @GoldenKnights uphold? pic.twitter.com/v963YD9COy
— 🏆🏆 deloris van cartier (@goaltindr) October 16, 2025
These are all valid questions. Due to all of the legal ramifications from the case, it will be unlikely any of Deloris’s questions will be answered.
The Golden Knights released a statement after signing Carter Hart that mentioned their “core values”. It’s pretty clear what those “core values” are in allowing Hart back into the league.
My column:https://t.co/sgNluSb0u3
— Mary Clarke (@marycclarke) October 16, 2025
In the Golden Knights’s statement, they specifically stated, “we remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization.” In order to defend their decision of adding Hart to the Golden Knights, the franchise will need to be a little more specific what those core values are.
We’re deeply disappointed by the Vegas Golden Knights’ decision to sign Carter Hart. An acquittal is not exoneration, and “regret” is not accountability.
Survivors deserve better. The sport deserves better.
🩵💜💙 pic.twitter.com/7yebSf2vgf
— SOAR Initiative (@SOAR_Canada) October 17, 2025
This statement was put out by an organization in Ontario that advocates for victims of sexual violence.
Golden Knights goaltending situation
It appears Vegas will make another change to their goaltending rather soon. That is because Adin Hill, their number one goalie was injured on Tuesday against the Calgary Flames, and Akira Schmid struggled mightily in a 6-5 Vegas win over Boston on Thursday. It is also very possible that we will see Hart share goaltending duties with Hill by Christmas. Hart has 96 career NHL wins over six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. Hart has been a reliable goalie in the past, but the overall optics of Vegas’s recent decision have not been positive. As a result, the Golden Knights’s image has already been impacted.
