Lindsey Wasson / Associated Press
The Vegas Golden Knights arrive dressed like Elvis before the NHL Winter Classic hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, in Seattle.
Published Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 | 10:35 a.m.
Updated 4 minutes ago
Golden Knights arrive in Elvis garb
Part of tradition with the Winter Classic is teams will arrive to the stadium with matching costumes to match the theme of the game, or the team’s motif.
Which means, of course, the Golden Knights arrived the only way they knew how, donning Elvis Presley costumes as they entered the third-base side of the stadium.
Defenseman Alec Martinez has the mastermind behind the idea of everyone dressing like the King of Rock and Roll. Elvis is also a popular talking point within the Golden Knights’ locker room. Whoever was selected as the player of the game following wins last season would wear an Elvis wig, a tradition started by Jack Eichel.
“I thought it was a funny idea, especially when you see a couple Elvises I think you get a good laugh about it,” forward Keegan Kolesar said. “Don’t know what else we could have possibly done to represent Vegas. Personally, I thought Elvis was pretty spot on and we got a couple good laughs out of it ourselves.”
Bruce Cassidy had a special hat in store for the occasion, but he said the plan fell through at the last minute.
The Kraken arrived to T-Mobile Park as fishmongers while carrying fake fish. Much like they couldn’t be any more Seattle, the Golden Knights couldn’t be any more Vegas with their choice.
“I thought it was perfect,” defenseman Zach Whitecloud said. “I mean, it’s literally Vegas.”
Golden Knights ready for elements, history at Winter Classic
SEATTLE — Perched near the centerfield wall in T-Mobile Park is a boat being dragged down by a Kraken.
In right field, a small lake surrounded by ice holds a small dinghy that scours the waters.
On the playing surface normally occupied by the Seattle Mariners is a hockey rink that will play host to a historic day in Seattle, with the Vegas Golden Knights front and center.
Quite the way to ring in 2024.
The Golden Knights will take part in their first Winter Classic today at noon when they take on the Seattle Kraken in the NHL’s marquee regular season game.
“It’s kind of cool being in the middle of a baseball park,” forward Jonathan Marchessault said. “There are so many seats compared to hockey.”
It’s surely to be the largest capacity the Golden Knights, or the Kraken for that matter, have ever played in. Capacity at T-Mobile Park is 47,943 and a sellout is widely expected.
It’s a game that brings out memories of yesteryear for players who grew up playing outdoor hockey in frozen conditions. Players would be outside for hours, toes frozen beyond compare, hot chocolate at the ready. Once consumed, it was right back to the rink.
Temperatures are expected to be in the low 40s with slight clouds come puck drop. It won’t be the minus-6 degrees like Chandler Stephenson played in Western Canada growing up, but the Seattle weather will call for something of nostalgia.
“I think it’s going to be a great venue,” center Jack Eichel said. “It has a nice incline to it, so it might be better for the fans viewing it, but the NHL always does a great job putting the event on.”
With the elements comes the potential for a drastic change in play. Following their practice Sunday morning, some players said the puck was sticking to the ice more than usual, meaning the game might be slower than usual and turnovers can be more frequent if not played properly.
Given the clouds and fog, that might help the puck conditions, but it’s something to be keen of as the game goes on.
“It will be the same for both teams, which forces you to play with your head down a little more,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “At the end of the day, pass it harder and when you’re checking, don’t assume the puck is going to move.”
At the end of the day, while this is a grand game to be a part of, it’s an important two points on the line for the Golden Knights. They ended a four-game losing streak Thursday with a 3-2 win over Los Angeles at home to cap off a two-week stretch allowing three goals or more in eight straight games.
Beginning 2024 with a win would be what the Golden Knights need after a rough end to the calendar year. They have a chance to get back on track on one of the game’s biggest stages.
“It’s a huge honor to be selected for this marquee event by the league,” Eichel said. “I imagine it’ll be just as competitive as a regular season game, and we want to win.”
NHL Winter Classic
Time: Noon
TV: TNT
Livestream: Max
Radio: Fox Sports 98.9 FM
Odds: Golden Knights -130, Kraken +120 (Westgate Superbook)
Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.
