Goalie Carter Hart is expected to make his debut with the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks, according to ESPN’s Kevin Weekes.
TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reported last week that Hart was expected to be recalled from the American Hockey League at the conclusion of his NHL suspension on Dec. 1.
The NHL announced in September that it was reinstating the five players who were acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in 2018 when they were members of Canada’s world junior team, and that they would be eligible to sign a contract Oct. 15 and take part in games Dec. 1.
Hart, Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were all found not guilty by a judge this summer in their high-profile trial in London, Ont.
Hart, who signed a two-year, $4 million contract with the Golden Knights in October, has spent the past month with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights, appearing in three games.
The 27-year-old netminder has posted a 3.07 goals-against average and a .839 save percentage during his time in the AHL.
Hart had a 12-9-3 record with the Philadelphia Flyers, alongside a .906 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average in 26 games during the 2023-24 season before being charged.
In 227 career NHL games, all with the Flyers, Hart has a 96-93-29 record with a 2.94 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. He was selected 48th overall in the 2016 draft.
Vegas ranks third in the Pacific Division with a 11-6-8 record.
