The game of hockey, like all sports, is filled with unlikely heroes. Most of the time, it is the superstars who have a reputation for coming up clutch. However, we are here to talk about the heroic performances that seem to come from nowhere. An unlikely hero can step up and chip in with a massive Stanley Cup Playoff series-clinching goal, or maybe it is a season-long performance, the likes of which will never be seen again. These unlikely heroes become a part of hockey history. Today, we bring you our Last Word On Hockey Summer Series, as we look at the Vegas Golden Knights Unlikely Heroes .
Some wonder what makes an unlikely hero. It can be a player who comes with a massive improvement out of nowhere. An unlikely hero can step up and chip in with a massive goal or a shutout that wasn't expected. It can also be a player who steps up and has a season to remember. An unlikely hero can be a player who's a youngster who gives a breakthrough performance. It can also be a star player who gives one last flash of greatness.
Sin City's hockey franchise will be going into its 10th season in 2026-27. However, there are plenty of Vegas Golden Knights unlikely heroes to talk about. The Golden Knights have been an instant contender and have only missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs once in their tenure. Vegas has lost two of the three Stanley Cup Final series they've played in. However, the Knights got over the hump in the 2022-23 season thanks in part to the stellar goaltending of Adin Hill .
Hill had played for the Arizona Coyotes and San Jose Sharks, but he was dealt to rival Golden Knights due to a plethora of injuries to three netminders forced the team's hand. Hill was the backup to Laurent Brossoit , but an injury in Game 3 of the second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers forced Hill into action. The top-seeded Golden Knights faced a tall order against Connor McDavid , Leon Draisaitl , and the high-flying Oilers.
However, Hill was more than equal to the task and an incredible stick save on McDavid, which seemingly rallied the troops. Vegas was able to get past Edmonton to set up a date with the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals. The Comox. British Columbia native would give up only 12 goals in the six-game series. Hill even got two shutouts for the Golden Knights en route to a 4-2 series victory.
He would make an incredible paddle save in the season-opener against the Florida Panthers. Hill would help Vegas win its first Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Golden Knights would beat the Panthers in five games, and Hill would finish third in the Conn Smythe voting behind Jonathan Marchessault and Jack Eichel .
Hill could have cashed in on his performance in the open market. However, he signed a bridge contract for two seasons and $9.8 million. He would eventually sign a six-year extension that will keep him with the club through the 2030-31 campaign.
Injuries derailed Hill's season, but he's hoping to reclaim his spot as the team's starter. Vegas went with several options in the most-recent run to the Final. However, Hill will fight for his place in the crease.
We turn to an original Golden Knight for the next of our Vegas Golden Knights unlikely heroes. William Karlsson may be a celebrated original member of the roster, who have become known as the Misfits. However, the Swede was an unknown commodity after being selected in the expansion draft. He was left exposed in the draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets . In fact, the Jackets would offer the Golden Knights a first-rounder, a third-rounder, and David Clarkson in order to select Karlsson.
The Marsta, Sweden native had been splitting time between the AHL and NHL. He didn't have more than 10 goals since coming to North America. However, the man known as "Wild Bill" would turn heads in the team's inaugural season.
(Credit Image: © Brian Mcwalters/Cal Sport Media)
Karlsson would centre the line with Marchessault and Reilly Smith on the first line. It was a bit of a risk putting a young player like Karlsson on the top line. However, Karlsson would thrive being between the two players. Karlsson would end up scoring 43 goals, which would be a career high.
Those 43 regular-season goals would be good enough for third in scoring in the entire league. He would add seven more goals as the Knights would shock the hockey world by making the Stanley Cup Final. Karlsson would win the Lady Byng Trophy and was also named Sweden's top player that season.
He's one of the few original Golden Knights left on the roster. Injuries have been a thorny issue for the Swedish star. However, he's been very consistent on both ends of the for Vegas.
He's been on all three Golden Knights' teams that have made the Stanley Cup Final. Karlsson is a fixture and came out of nowhere to be an important part of the roster.
We have some more entries as we look at the Vegas Golden Knights unlikely heroes. Dylan Coghlan was pressed into service due to injuries, but he would come up clutch in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals against the Colorado Avalanche.
Ryan Reaves may be known as an enforcer, but he netted some memorable goals in the 2018 run. This includes the game-winner in the Western Conference Finals against the Winnipeg Jets.
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Main photo by: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
