For the first time since the Golden Knights were a franchise, VGK fans got a chance to experience the thrills of true best-on-best international hockey. Mark Stone, Shea Theodore, and Adin Hill suited up for Team Canada and Noah Hanifin and Jack Eichel took the ice for Team USA.
The tournament could have been viewed as a bit of a letdown for Vegas fans. First, before it even started, Alex Pietrangelo and William Karlsson had to pull out due to lingering issues. Then, Shea Theodore was injured in the 1st period of the first game and eventually missed significant time for VGK, finally, Adin Hill never saw the net for Canada.
The players who were able to participate, though, made it abundantly clear that it was an unbelievable opportunity, and fans were treated to a magnificent couple of weeks of hockey along the way.
4 Nations was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I had a great time with it. Fortunate that we were able to get the win and got to play with the best players of all time really for the first time in my life. So that was something I’ll remember forever. -Mark Stone
To a man, each of the players who spoke about it during the season and after made it clear it helped them become better players for the Golden Knights.
Anytime you have an opportunity to represent your country, as an athlete in general, it’s special. It was a really cool experience to be a part of that this year. I think it helps everyone that’s involved in that. It helps you grow as a player. -Noah Hanifin
Next year, the focus shifts towards the 2026 Olympic Games in Milan. Each player that spoke about it though maintained a clear focus on helping the Golden Knights first.
Going into next year, of course, I want to be on the Olympic team, want to make the Olympic team. But as far as personal goals, it’s for me is mainly to be available and make sure that I’m in the best shape I can be to help this team. -Mark Stone
4 Nations was a great experience for me. It makes me want to be able to go to Italy next year. But at the same time, I have a responsibility to be here next year and win with this team. So we’re going to try and do that. So I think if I just kind of focus on what I’m doing here in Vegas and have a good start to the season, the rest will take care of itself. -Adin Hill
It’s an incredible honour to represent your country, but, first and foremost, you want to play good hockey here and build something and whatever comes after, you handle that. -Shea Theodore
Bruce Cassidy made it clear after the season that he didn’t believe the 4 Nations tournament impacted his team negatively in the playoffs. Hopefully for the Golden Knights that’s the case once again next year because they could have as many as eight players representing their countries in Italy.
