In 2017, the city of Las Vegas got its first-ever major professional sports team. Of all sports they could have gone with, they chose none other than ice hockey.
With an average annual temperature of 69 Fahrenheit (20.5 C), it’s a miracle the city can maintain ice! In fact, according to rapper 2 Chainz, Las Vegas “did what they say we couldn’t!”
However, professional ice hockey in Nevada actually started 30 years ago!
In this article, I’ll show you what hockey team is in Nevada, where they play, and how you can watch them.
Pssssst! Are you curious about what hockey teams are in other U.S. states? You can learn more by checking out our other posts: What Hockey Team Is in Florida, What Hockey Team Is in Chicago, and What Hockey Team Is in Washington State!
Let’s dive in.
Here’s What Hockey Teams Are In Nevada:
In the 2017-18 NHL season, Nevada introduced the Vegas Golden Knights as the newest expansion team. They play home games at the T-Mobile Arena and are a part of the Pacific Division in the NHL. Nevada also has another professional hockey team, the Henderson Silver Knights (American Hockey League), and Las Vegas Thunderbirds, a junior ice hockey team.
Does Nevada Have an NHL Team?
Yes, Nevada, the “Silver State” has an NHL team.
In 2017, Nevada introduced the Vegas Golden Knights as the 31st team in the National Hockey League. The Vegas Golden Knights are the only major professional sports team in Las Vegas and they play out of the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada—just a few minutes away from the center of the Las Vegas Strip.
Nevada also has another professional ice hockey team: The Henderson Silver Knights which joined the American Hockey League (AHL) in the 2020-21 season. They play at the Dollar Loan Center in Henderson, Nevada. The Henderson Silver Knights are an affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights (a farm team).
The Silver State also has a junior ice hockey team that was founded in 2019: The Las Vegas Thunderbirds, a Tier III junior team based out of Summerlin South, Nevada. They play at the City National Arena.
Does Las Vegas Have Two Hockey Teams?
Yes, Las Vegas technically has two professional ice hockey teams.
While the most popular team is the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL), they also have a minor-league farm team: The Henderson Silver Knights.
The Henderson Silver Knights are owned and operated by the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights and feature several developing professional hockey players—many of which will get called up to play in the “big league” for the Vegas Golden Knights.
The AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights were originally founded in 1971 as the Tidewater/Virginia Wings as a farm team for the Detroit Red Wings. In 1975, they moved to Glenn Falls, New York, and became the Adirondack Red Wings. In 1999, the franchise became dormant, until 2002 when the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA bought the team and turned them into the San Antonio Rampage. They spent 18 years in San Antonio until being bought by the Vegas Golden Knights.
When Did Vegas Golden Knights Join the NHL?
The Vegas Golden Knights officially joined the NHL in the 2017-18 NHL season. On October 10, 2017, they faced off against the Arizona Coyotes for their first home game played at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Vegas Golden Knights beat Arizona 5-2 and increased their streak to start the season to 3 games. This was an NHL record for an expansion team. In fact, they set another NHL record by winning the first 8 of 9 games they played as an expansion team during their inaugural season.
Where Does the Hockey Team Play in Las Vegas?
The Vegas Golden Knights are the professional ice hockey team that plays in Las Vegas, Nevada. They play their home games just a 6-minute drive from the center of the Las Vegas Strip at the T-Mobile Arena (technically in Paradise, Nevada). This indoor arena is located just south of “The Strip” at 3780 South Las Vegas Boulevard.
How Much Are Hockey Tickets in Las Vegas?
In Las Vegas, you can watch professional hockey by going to an NHL game featuring the Vegas Golden Knights. You’re probably wondering, how much are tickets to the game?
Well, ticket prices can vary. However, they can be purchased currently for around $60. Here are some historical ticket price averages:
Season | Arena | Price (USD) |
2022-23 | T-Mobile Arena | $61 |
2021-22 | T-Mobile Arena | $61 |
2020-21 | T-Mobile Arena | $264 |
2019-20 | T-Mobile Arena | $154 |
2018-19 | T-Mobile Arena | $176 |
2017-18 | T-Mobile Arena | $117 |
Just keep in mind, prices may fluctuate depending on what time of year you purchase. Plus, prices will drastically vary based on whether it’s a pre-season, regular season, or playoff game you’re thinking of attending.
What Do You Wear to a Vegas Hockey Game?
Do you have tickets to go see the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas?
You may be wondering what to wear, especially if it’s your first time attending a professional ice hockey game.
Here are a few tips:
- Try to wear VGK Apparel. This is any Vegas Golden Knights gear. It could be a purchased jersey, shirt, hat, or sweater.
- If you don’t have time to buy some Golden Knights apparel, try to wear something in the official team colors: black, gold, gray, or red
- Try not to wear colors from the opposing team
- Bring a blanket for extra comfort in your arena seats (for comfort under your bum or to keep you warm on your lap)
Did the Golden Knights Win the Stanley Cup Their First Season?
No, but they came really close!
In their inaugural season, the Vegas Golden Knights defied all the odds and made the playoffs. But, that’s not all. They made history as the first-ever expansion team to make it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals in their first season as a franchise.
They faced the Washington Capitals in the 2018 NHL playoffs but lost to them in 5 games. On the flip side, Alexander Ovechkin finally got to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time, which was something special to see as a fan of the sport.
Are you curious to know more about hockey in other states across the U.S.? Don’t forget to check out our other full guide: Hockey Teams in Every U.S. State: Complete NHL & College List (2023).
Sources
https://www.nhl.com/goldenknights
https://www.vegas.com/las-vegas-events/sports-in-las-vegas/
https://seatgeek.com/vegas-golden-knights-tickets