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[ FE A T UR E ]
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Game Entertainment Elements
Due to a partnership with Cirque Du Soleil, the in-game and in-arena
experience at T-Mobile Arena for a Golden Knights game is something to
see. From appearance by Cirque acts to the sexy, on-ice Golden Knights
Ice Crew and other excitement, a Golden Knights game has become a
spectacle.
“Cirque du Soleil is the best in the world at what they do,” Knights’ pres-
ident Kerry Bubolz said. “Their acts will perform at our games and their
experts are also working with our team to ensure we offer an entertaining
game experience above and beyond world class hockey. It’s very important
for us to challenge ourselves to be unique each night.”
Here are a few highlights fans will experience:
մ Large Golden Knight helmet descends from T-Mobile Arena rafters
մ Player intros magnified by video, music, more
մ Videos tell a story of the medieval knight
մ On-ice projection system
մ Entertainment area featuring world class Las Vegas deejays, other
entertainment
մ Two Zambonis decorated with the Golden Knights shield; drivers
in costume. Side of Zambonis equipped with “jousting stick” to
simulate a medieval joust when Zambonis approach each other.
մ Male, female on-ice cleaning crew—the Golden Knights Ice Crew-
wear dark, sexy, medieval-themed outfits
մ Vegas Golden Knights drumline performs
The Coach – Gerard Gallant
Usually, a team takes on the characteristics of its head coach. Such is the case with the Golden
Knights, who play tough and with heart, traits also found in their head coach, Gerard Gallant. He
was named the first head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights on April 13, 2017.
Most recently Gallant served as head coach of the Florida Panthers for parts of three seasons
(2014-16), leading the Panthers to a record of 96-65-25 and an Atlantic Division title during the
2015-16 season. During his first season behind Florida’s bench, Gallant guided the Panthers to a
38-29-15 record and 91 points, a 25-point improvement from the previous season. The Panthers
were eliminated from playoff contention after the 80th game of the 2014-15 regular season.
In his second year with the team, the Panthers finished with a franchise-best 103 points and a
record of 47-26-9. The team captured its second-ever division title and made their fifth appear-
ance in the NHL playoffs and first since the 2011-12 season. For his efforts, Gallant was named
a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is annually given to the NHL coach who has contrib-
uted the most to his team’s success. Prior to joining the Panthers, Gallant, 50, spent two seasons
(2012-14) as an assistant coach with the Montreal Canadiens, helping the team advance to the
postseason each year, including the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals.
Gallant was selected by Detroit in the sixth round (107th overall) in the 1981 NHL Draft. He played in 615 NHL games for Detroit (1984-93)
and Tampa Bay (1993-95) registering 480 points (211-269-480) and 1,674 penalty minutes. Gallant recorded four 70-plus point seasons, including
his most successful year in 1988-89 when he registered a career high 93 points (39-54-93) and was selected as a NHL Second Team All-Star. He and
his wife, Pam, live in Las Vegas. They have two children, Melissa and Jason, and two grandchildren, Caleb and Dylan.
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