Vegas Golden Knights: Ryan Reaves is exactly what they need
By Jasmine Yen
It’s been over a year since the Vegas Golden Knights traded for Ryan Reaves and he has quickly established himself as a fan favorite in Sin City.
Having an NHL team in Las Vegas was going to be tough as they are an ice hockey team in the middle of the desert. However, their Stanley Cup Final appearance in their first-ever season quickly caught the attention of fans and now Vegas just needs to keep their attention. A player like Ryan Reaves is exactly what the Vegas Golden Knights needed as his style of play is magnetic for fans as they’re constantly waiting for what he’s going to do next.
The Golden Knights are in their third season in franchise history. While the team did capture the hearts of many people in Las Vegas, it’s important to remember that this is still a very young team that is still establishing itself in its city.
More from Vegas Golden Knights
- 3 reasons the Vegas Golden Knights won’t repeat in 2024
- Lake Tahoe Granted New Expansion ECHL Franchise
- The winners and losers from day one of the 2023 NHL Draft
- 2023 NHL Draft Live Updates: News, Draft Selections, Trades and More
- 2023 NHL Draft: Complete First Round Draft Order
Getting Ryan Reaves is great for the team, both in the locker room and for the fans as his charming personality and physicality on the ice quickly established himself as a fan favorite.
His hits energize the crowd and the team and his fights grab the attention of the Golden Knights fans as they get the chance to see boxing on ice.
Rivalries are great for the league as it drives up TV numbers and attendance. Reaves is the biggest reason for the Vegas-San Jose rivalry with his drama with Evander Kane. Now every game between the two clubs are must-watch contests that drive up Golden Knights’ viewership numbers.
His fight last night against Scott Sabourin of the Ottawa Senators is another example of what makes Reaves so special. The fight was initiated during a faceoff and before it started, Reaves flicked his gloves and stick down nonchalantly as if Sabourin’s challenge was a nuisance that needed to be silenced.
After the fight, he raised his hands up to the crowd and pumped them up even more. That kind of showmanship is exactly what grabs the attention of the party city that is Vegas.
Next. 3 teams off to a slow start. dark
While the playoff runs grabbed the attention of Vegas fans, Reaves is building a relationship between the fans and the players. He is exactly what the Golden Knights need to continue building up the reputation of hockey in the desert.