Carter Hart’s Return to the NHL
Carter Hart is set to make his first appearance for the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday as they face off against the Chicago Blackhawks, as reported by sources and initially disclosed by ESPN NHL analyst Kevin Weekes. Hart, who has not played in the NHL for the past two years while with the Philadelphia Flyers, was called up from the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL on Sunday. This move comes after the NHL indicated that his suspension, imposed in early 2024 due to sexual assault accusations linked to an incident at the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala, would end on Monday.
Background on Suspension and Legal Issues
In January 2024, Hart was placed on indefinite leave along with four other players—Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, Cale Foote, and Alex Formenton—after the allegations surfaced. Although Hart was charged with sexual assault on January 30, 2024, he was never detained. By summer 2025, all five men were acquitted when a judge determined that the prosecution had failed to provide enough evidence for a conviction.
Subsequently, in September 2025, the NHL opened the door for these players to re-enter the league, allowing them to sign with new teams starting October 15 and rejoin by December 1. Among the group, Hart stands out as the only player to secure a contract in the NHL. He finalized a two-year deal worth $4 million with the Golden Knights in October and has been competing with the Silver Knights since then.
Performance in the AHL
During his time in the AHL, Hart participated in three games, maintaining a goals-against average of 3.07 and a save percentage of .839. His last game with the Flyers was on January 20, 2024, where he faced a challenging outing, conceding five goals and being replaced after two periods in a 7-4 defeat against the Colorado Avalanche.
Career Overview
Over his career, Hart has played in 227 NHL games, all with Philadelphia, achieving a record of 96 wins, 93 losses, and 29 overtime losses, along with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage.
