Vegas Golden Knights Welcome Carter Hart
The Vegas Golden Knights have welcomed goaltender Carter Hart on a tryout basis, as the organization announced on Thursday. Hart, who has been cleared of sexual assault allegations alongside several other players, will be eligible to participate in NHL games starting December 15, 2025.
Reinstatement and Contract Details
The NHL and the NHL Players’ Association, after a thorough examination, reinstated Hart, allowing him to sign contracts from October 15 and return to the ice fully by December 1. As of now, he is authorized to practice and will have the opportunity to compete in the AHL starting November 15 before his potential contract transitions into a standard deal reportedly valued at $3.6 million over a two-year span.
Carter Hart’s Career Overview
Carter Hart, who was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016, has played a total of 218 games in the NHL from 2018 to 2024, claiming a record of 96 wins, 93 losses, and 29 overtime losses, along with six shutouts and a .906 save percentage. His last game was on January 20, 2024, against the Colorado Avalanche.
Legal Issues and Acquittal
In July, Hart was among five players acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018, where they were accused of assaulting a woman during a gala event in London, Ontario.
Judge Maria Carroccia of the Ontario court stated that the accuser’s testimony lacked credibility and coherence, leading her to rule in favor of the defendants.
The sexual assault case emerged after the plaintiff settled with Hockey Canada and the Canadian Hockey League in 2022, leading to renewed investigations that revealed charges against Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton in 2024. Other players present at the hotel were called to testify but did not face charges, having left the scene prior to the alleged events. At the time of the charges, four players—McLeod, Hart, Dubé, and Foote—were active in the NHL, while Formenton was competing in Switzerland.
Future Prospects
While Hart prepares for his new chapter with the Golden Knights, his co-defendants have also continued their careers, with McLeod joining a team in Russia and Formenton playing in the Swiss league.
