Carter Hart appeared in a pro game Sunday for the first time since leaving the Philadelphia Flyers. Steph Chambers / Getty Images
Carter Hart returned to professional hockey on Sunday night and started an AHL game for the Henderson Silver Knights in his first game action in 22 months.
Sunday’s game against the Calgary Wranglers is expected to be the first of multiple starts as Hart ramps up to his possible NHL return.
Hart, one of five former members of Canada’s World Juniors team found not guilty of sexual assault charges at trial in July, signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in October. He has practiced with the NHL club since signing that deal, and he is now playing a game for the first time since Jan. 20, 2024, before he took a leave of absence from the Philadelphia Flyers.
Per the conditions of his reinstatement, Hart remains unable to play in NHL games until Dec. 1, but is now eligible to play in AHL games, which he is now doing for Henderson on a conditioning loan from Vegas.
The Golden Knights have had difficulties in the crease early in the 2025-26 season. Starter Adin Hill, who signed a six-year, $37.5 million extension with the team in July, suffered a lower-body injury on Oct. 20. He needed help off the ice that night, is considered week to week according to coach Bruce Cassidy, and he didn’t travel with the team on their two-game road trip to St. Louis and Minnesota.
In Hill’s absence, the Golden Knights have rotated between Akira Schmid and rookie Carl Lindbom in net. Schmid has gone 6-1-2 with a .894 save percentage, while Lindbom has lost all four of his starts with a .869 save percentage. In total, Vegas ranks 25th in the NHL with a team save percentage of .882.
Despite not playing for nearly two years, Hart’s 227 career NHL appearances are still more than every goalie his age except Dallas’ Jake Oettinger. The 27-year-old Hart had a .906 save percentage and 2.94 goals against average in six seasons in Philadelphia.
Nov 17, 2025
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