LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Vegas Golden Knights’ top hockey executives thanked fans for their support and vowed the franchise will continue to chase championships after the team’s season ended in the Stanley Cup Final.
In a letter posted Tuesday night on social media, Golden Knights President of Hockey Operations George McPhee and President of Business Operations John Penhollow told fans the team’s June 14 season-ending loss was disappointing but did not overshadow what the organization accomplished.
“From Opening Knight through our final game, you reminded the hockey world what makes this city different,” the letter said, crediting fans for packing T-Mobile Arena, traveling for road games, and “welcoming new fans into The Realm.”
McPhee and Penhollow also framed the team’s identity as tied to the community and reiterated the organization’s standard of competing for titles. “Over the past nine seasons, together we’ve built something special — a franchise that expects to compete for championships while representing this city with pride,” they wrote. “That’s the standard, and it isn’t changing.”
MORE ON FOX5: Las Vegas Aviators clinch playoff spot for second consecutive year following weekend win
The message comes after Vegas fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final.
Carolina took a 3-2 series lead with a 4-2 win in Raleigh on June 12, setting up a potential Cup-clinching Game 6 in Las Vegas, according to an Associated Press game report.
The organization has already begun outlining what comes next. The Golden Knights recently named Ryan Craig as head coach after he spent the past three years leading the team’s AHL affiliate in Henderson.
Craig replaces John Tortorella, who was hired late in the regular season and guided Vegas to the Final.
Vegas also announced its 2026-27 preseason schedule, a four-game slate that opens Sept. 19 in Ontario, California, and includes two home exhibition games at T-Mobile Arena.
In their letter, McPhee and Penhollow said the Golden Knights will evaluate the season and return with the same expectations.
“We’ll learn from this season, we’ll get better, and we’ll come back hungry,” Knights officials said.
Copyright 2026 KVVU. All rights reserved.
