Goaltender Carter Hart has officially signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. This marks a significant moment as he becomes the first player from the 2018 Canada world junior hockey team to secure an NHL contract following the recent acquittal of sexual assault charges.
Carter Hart’s Signing Details
The Golden Knights announced the signing of Hart on Thursday, just two days after the signing window opened. The specific terms of the contract remain undisclosed. However, Hart and the other players involved in the case will not be eligible for game play until December 1 as part of the NHL’s reinstatement process.
Context of Acquittal
In 2024, Hart and four other players faced serious charges related to an incident that occurred in London, Ontario, in 2018. A judge later concluded that the prosecution could not provide sufficient evidence, declaring the allegations lacked credibility. Following this, the NHL conducted its own investigation starting in 2022.
League and Team Stance
- The NHL described the entire sequence of events as “deeply troubling and unacceptable.”
- Although the players were found not guilty, the league indicated their conduct did not align with its standards of moral integrity.
The Golden Knights expressed that they are aligned with the NHL’s assessment, affirming their commitment to the values that define their organization.
Other Players and Career Moves
Alongside Hart, Michael McLeod, who signed a three-year contract in the KHL, and Alex Formenton, currently playing in Switzerland, were also part of the case. McLeod was found not guilty of an additional charge, while Formenton’s future in the NHL remains uncertain.
Carter Hart, now 27, is entering a new chapter in his career with the Golden Knights after spending the previous six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers opted against re-signing him, suggesting that a fresh start was in his best interest.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman noted that individual teams have the discretion to make decisions regarding these players based on the established rules.
