Vegas Golden Knights WIN The Stanley Cup!
October 10th, 2017. The Vegas Golden Knights took to the T-Mobile Arena ice. Deryk Engelland took the mic to calm a rattled Las Vegas and reassure fans they’d do everything they could do to give the city something to cheer for. From puck drop, they did just that. The season was a wild ride. While they didn’t lift the Stanley Cup that season, they lifted a city. Arguably a tougher task.
June 13th, 2023… the Vegas Golden Knights fulfilled owner Bill Foley’s prophecy: “Cup In Six”. VGK made quick work on the Florida Panthers, completing the ‘Gentlemen’s Sweep” and taking home the toughest trophy to secure in professional sports. The Stanley Cup.
Your 2022-23 Vegas Golden Knights Are Stanley Cup Champions!
It is almost surreal to say, but after only six short years, the Golden Knights did the damn thing!
Coach Bruce Cassidy joined the team after a successful (but not successful enough) run with the Boston Bruins. He was let go by the revered hockey franchise despite being revered by fans and respected by the hockey world. He came to Las Vegas with something to prove. You could say… he was a “Misfit“.
The “Misfit” angle for the Golden Knights felt all but dismantled during the Pete DeBoer reign, but this season felt different. There was something to prove. Puck drop during Game 5 made a statement. The opening lineup included Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Reilly Smith, Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore. The “Misfit” line started the game and it was clear within the arena that this game meant a whole lot more than this season. It was the conclusion of a six year journey for this expansion team. The delayed but poignant end to a story of redemption.
This is just the beginning… This Is Win City!
We’ve got the Vegas Golden Knights joining the Las Vegas Aces as Champions! The Raiders are rebuilding with a new quarterback and a score to settle. LET’S GET READY FOR A PARTY THIS CITY WILL NEVER FORGET!!
5 Ways Las Vegas Benefits From The VGK Winning The Stanley Cup
More Jobs
Ceri Breeze via Getty Images
A recent study done at Harvard and Case Western University showed the potential for 13% growth in the number of bars and restaurants surrounding the stadium of a winning team. And with more businesses comes more jobs for Las Vegas locals.
Greater Sense Of Community
Caiaimage/Robert Daly via Getty Images
If you lived in Las Vegas in 2017, you know the impact the Vegas Golden Knights‘ inaugural season had on the community. After the traumatic events at the Route 91 Harvest Festival on October 1 of that year, the city was deeply shaken. Being able to rally together behind a winning hockey team was truly a form of therapy to many who felt alone and afraid.
A New Perspective For Tourists
LeBright via Getty Images
Beyond just bragging rights for winning the Stanley Cup, Las Vegas would have something else to show the world in terms of what we’re capable of. Those of us who live in Vegas know we have a lot to offer. From community and family-friendly events to outdoor activities. But for all of those people who still think we’re just good for gambling and strip clubs, we’d have a pretty compelling piece of contradiction.
More Revenue For The City
Jose Calsina via Getty Images
Increased tourism is one major benefit of the VGK winning the Stanley Cup. New visitors have been coming for the playoff games. And more will come to next year’s games if the VGK is the reigning champion. That means more money spent in Las Vegas.
Inspiring Future Generations
LuckyBusiness via Getty Images
Remember how we said before that some hockey players choose to take the Stanley Cup home to show to those who helped inspire them? Or how they’d get their names next to their hockey hero on the cup itself? Well, there are little hockey kiddos all over Vegas who would get to say that about their hometown. And that’s pretty cool.
