Golden Knights announce Carter Hart will join team

“Following the reinstatement decision agreed on by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, goaltender Carter Hart will be joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization,” the team wrote in a statement. “The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision. We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward.”

Multiple reports confirmed Hart signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the Golden Knights, and that an official contract is expected down the road.

“It’s been a long road to get back to this point, to get back to the game of hockey. The game that I love,” Hart told the media shortly after the announcement. “I’ve been out of the game for a year and a half now. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot, and I’m just excited to move forward.”

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the city, the community & the fanbase. I got to meet a lot of people here today. I’m so excited to get the chance to play in front of them and for them, and just get to show the community my true character and who I really am.”

“Happy to welcome him to our team, to our family,” said Golden Knights captain Mark Stone. “I think we’ve created a a pretty damn good culture here. A lot of character people in the locker room, a lot of people in the entire organization.”

The news comes one month after the NHL and NHLPA agreed that Hart, along with the four other players found not guilty in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault trial, would not be eligible to sign new NHL contracts until Oct. 15 and would remain suspended until Dec. 1.

Hart, along with Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote, were all charged with one count each of sexual assault after an alleged incident in London, Ont., in June 2018, following a Hockey Canada celebration of the country’s 2018 World Junior Championship gold medal victory. McLeod was also charged with one count of being a party to the offences. 

Last July, all five players were found not guilty on all charges, as Ontario Justice Maria Carroccia said she did not find the complainant to be “credible or reliable.” 

All five players pleaded not guilty when the trial began on April 22.

In April 2022, the alleged victim, known as E.M. due to a publication ban, filed a statement of claim, seeking $3.55 million in damages from Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League and eight players who were unnamed at the time. Hockey Canada would go on to settle the lawsuit the following month for an undisclosed amount out of court.

In February 2024, London Police Chief Thai Truong confirmed in a press conference that all five players turned themselves in and were charged.

Hart, 27, was 12-9-3 with a .906 save percentage (SV%) and 2.80 goals against average (GAA) in 26 games with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023-24. 

Through six NHL seasons, Hart, a native of Sherwood Park, Alta., went 96-93-29 with a .906 SV% and 2.94 GAA in 227 career NHL games played. 

Taken in the second round by the Flyers in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Hart spent parts of two seasons in the AHL, going 9-6-3 with a .902 SV% and 3.05 in 18 games. 

Through five seasons in the Western Hockey League, Hart went 116-46-22 with a .927 SV% and 2.01 GAA in 190 games with the Everett Silvertips. He won the Del Wilson Trophy for WHL Goaltender of the Year three times, as well as two CHL Goaltender of the Year awards.