NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights Retire No. 58 in Honor of Route 91 Victims [WATCH]
Before their final home game of the 2017-2018 NHL season, the Vegas Golden Knights officially retired No. 58, in honor of the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting. A banner remembering the tragedy's 58 victims now hangs in the rafters of T-Mobile Arena, and no player in Golden Knights history will ever wear that jersey number.
On Saturday night (March 31), during a pre-game ceremony, the Route 91 memorial banner -- featuring the words "Vegas Strong;" 58 stars, matching those on the Golden Knights jerseys; and the names of each of the victims -- was unveiled, and the team officially retired No. 58. The Golden Knights' owner, team manager and defenseman Deryk Engelland participated in the ceremony, along with family members of Neysa Tonks, one of the Route 91 victims. Readers can press play below to watch the ceremony.
58: Always remember, never forget. #VegasStrong
Story: https://t.co/LzyxignURe pic.twitter.com/Ga6NiX4QWy
— NHL (@NHL) April 1, 2018
The Vegas Golden Knights are a brand-new NHL team; the 2017-2018 season was their first in the league. Their first-ever home game in Las Vegas came on Oct. 10, a little more than one week after the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting on Oct. 1. During that game, the team chose to recognize the tragedy and remember the victims, as well as the first responders and all of those affected during team introductions, with a ceremonial puck drop and with a brief moment of silence, among other tributes.
Saturday night's game was a major victory for the Vegas Golden Knights: With their 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks, the team clinched the NHL's Pacific Division championship.
Remembering the Route 91 Harvest Festival Shooting Victims