Forward Brendan Brisson skates during Vegas Golden Knights rookie practice at City National Arena in Summerlin Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 | 2 a.m.
As the Golden Knights rookies took the ice for the first day of rookie camp Thursday at City National Arena, something felt different.
There were familiar faces. Some first-time participants. New coaches taking part. But one player stood out from the rest, and it had nothing to do with his on-ice actions.
There's a new No. 19 on the Golden Knights, and it might be the one that has the most eyes on him in the coming weeks.
Top prospect forward Brendan Brisson switched his jersey number from 24 to 19, the number notably worn by now-former Vegas forward Reilly Smith.
Smith is now in Pittsburgh after an offseason trade. But the new No. 19 did ask for clearance from the Golden Knights veterans and the old No. 19, if it was alright to make the change.
Smith's response: "Just make sure you take care of her."
Brisson has worn 19 all his playing life, from junior hockey, to the University of Michigan, to the Olympic team. He chose 24 because it's his grandmother's birthday.
Brisson gravitated toward 19 because it's the number of Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews. The three-time Stanley Cup champion's agent is Pat Brisson, Brendan's dad. Toews spent a lot of time with Brisson, giving him advice as he got closer to his professional career.
Going back to 19, Brisson understands the weight the number carries.
"I have all the respect for Reilly Smith. Since the first day he got here, he's been so meaningful to not only the organization, but the city of Vegas," Brisson said. "For me, it gives me motivation, too. He's such a good player and a good person off the ice. Every day, I'm just going to try to fill that role wearing 19."
If things go Brisson's way, there will be a No. 19 on the Golden Knights roster this season. As he and the other rookies prepare for the annual Rookie Faceoff tournament that starts Friday, eyes will be on the 21-year-old Brisson as he competes for the roster spot that was once Smith's.
"He had such a big role here," Brisson said. "I don't think anyone can come in right away and fill his boots."
Brisson, the Golden Knights' first-round pick from 2020 who is coming off 37 points (18 goals, 19 assists) in his first pro season with AHL Henderson in 2023. He got off to a slow start in his first extended taste of pro hockey, but finished with 18 points in his final 20 games.
With an NHL-caliber shot, and an improved 200-foot game, those are traits the Golden Knights hope will translate to the NHL in due time. This would be the ideal time for that to happen.
But the competition for this open roster spot is stiff.
There's Paul Cotter, coming off a 13-goal campaign his rookie year. He found pockets of success no matter which line he was on; whether as a fourth-line checking forward, or someone who crashed the net on the first line.
If not Cotter, rookie forward Pavel Dorofeyev will make a case. Dorofeyev was a late-season call-up due to an injury to Smith, and the 22-year-old prospect scored seven goals in 10 games.
A late addition to the race is 24-year-old forward Max Comtois, who signed a professional tryout deal with Vegas on Tuesday. Comtois played the past four seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, totaling 210 games, totaling 86 points (38 goals, 48 assists) in that time.
"It's one more spot," Brisson said. "It's going to be pretty competitive during camp, but there's still a lot of good players here. I'm sure everyone's going to be bringing their best, and it's just going to bring the best out of me, too."
Much like taking part in his third development camp this summer, there's a sense from Brisson that he would like this to be his last rookie camp, as well.
Given how much the Golden Knights have purged their prospect cabinet over the years, Brisson is unquestionably their top prospect. The cupboard space got wider last year when Vegas traded former first-round pick Zach Dean to St. Louis for Ivan Barbashev.
The Golden Knights signed Barbashev to a five-year deal in the offseason due to his efforts in helping them win the Stanley Cup.
Brisson would like to be a contributor on the ice in the Golden Knights' hopes of going back-to-back. If he shows any promise like the former No. 19, he'll have a chance.
"For Briss, just come and play your game," said Golden Knights director of player development Wil Nichol. "You do some things so well, do those things, be great at it. He's really focused this last year on his 200-foot game, playing along the wall. Doing those things consistently, and just continue to get better."
Rookie Faceoff schedule
Friday: vs. Anaheim (7 p.m.) at The Dollar Loan Center
Saturday: vs. San Jose (7 p.m.) at The Dollar Loan Center
Sunday: Practice at City National Arena (9:30 a.m.)
Monday: vs. Colorado (3 p.m.) at City National Arena
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
