The names of the 58 people killed in the Route 91 mass shooting are displayed during opening ceremonies for the Vegas Golden Knights’ home opener at T-Mobile Arena Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017.
Saturday, June 17, 2023 | 2 a.m.
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Vegas born. For locals and fans of the Vegas Golden Knights, those two words say it all.
The city’s first professional team in a major spectator sport, the Vegas Golden Knights would have held a special place in the hearts of Las Vegans no matter what the circumstances of their arrival. But when the team took to the ice just nine days after the largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, it felt as if they were the heroes we had been waiting for.
They couldn’t undo the pain of a tragedy that took the lives of 60 people and permanently transformed the lives of so many more. But they could help us heal, help us rebuild and, with a heartfelt speech by now retired defenseman Deryk Engelland, they could help remind us that we were, are and will continue to be Vegas Strong.
“Like all of you, I’m proud to call Las Vegas home,” Engelland said to a packed Fortress at T-Mobile Arena whose grief was palpable. “I met my wife here. Our kids were born here. I know how special this city is,” he continued.
He was one of us. His pain was not performative.
“To all the brave first responders that have worked tirelessly and courageously through this whole tragedy, we thank you,” he continued.
His gratitude was sincere. “To the families and friends of the victims, we’ll do everything we can to help you and our city heal. We are Vegas Strong.”
With those words, Engelland knighted an entire city. Instead of the Golden Knights inaugural game being a celebration of the new franchise, the new roster, or the new arena, it was a celebration of a misunderstood city, the resilience of its people and its ability to heal.
From that very first game we have embraced the Vegas Golden Knights with a devotion and loyalty that is, in the opinion of this editorial board, unrivaled in professional sports.
Their presence has brought locals back to the Strip to brave the throngs of tourists on a pilgrimage to the Fortress. Conversely, the Knights have become an integral part of our community as friends, neighbors, volunteers and ambassadors for a city that, despite welcoming millions of tourists each year, few ever see. The Golden Knights were Vegas born, and with their arrival, Las Vegas became their kingdom.
That’s why no words can adequately capture the feelings of joy, excitement, and elation so many Las Vegans felt on Tuesday night, as we hoisted our victory flamingos and our beloved Golden Knights hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Entering the Stanley Cup Final, the Florida Panthers had looked like an unstoppable Cinderella story. Despite entering the playoffs as a wild card team and surviving three elimination games in the first round, the Panthers went on a tear to win 11 of 12 games and knock off both of the top two seeds from the Eastern Conference.
Yet, they were no match for a team born in the heart of the Mojave Desert, a team that is Vegas Strong.
As the lopsided 9-3 score in the final game demonstrated, the upstart Panthers never stood a chance. Now, one of North America’s youngest professional sports teams has earned the right to hoist North America’s oldest existing trophy awarded to a professional sports franchise. Our champions have become the North American champions.
We could not be more excited for them, or more proud to call them Vegas born. Congratulations to the Vegas Golden Knights, our 2023 Stanley Cup champions.
