For the first time in almost two years, Carter Hart is back in the world of professional hockey.
Hart has not played a game since starting for the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 20, 2024, after which he and four other members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team were charged with sexual assault. After being acquitted in July, Hart was signed to a two-year, $4 million deal in October. While he is ineligible to play in the NHL until December, the team was able to assign him to a conditioning stint with their AHL affiliate Henderson Silver Knights on Nov. 15.
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After backing up Jesper Vikman in his first time on the roster, Hart finally got his chance to shine on Sunday against the Calgary Wranglers.
“It felt great just to play a game of competitive hockey again. It’s been a long time. It just felt good to be back out there competing,” Hart said after the game.
Hart did not have to do much in his first game back, stopping 12 of 14 shots to help the Silver Knights win.
“Our players, to their credit, details up, over the top contesting pucks,” said Silver Knights head coach Ryan Craig about the defensive effort in front of Hart.
“I thought we also managed the puck better, so we played behind them tonight, which doesn’t allow them to transition as quick to get going on their offense, and I think that was a key. We want to establish ourselves as a forecheck team, especially in this building, but we were just up and connected as all five guys on the ice here tonight.”
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The Silver Knights got Hart some early goal support, with Jonas Rondbjerg driving towards the net with just over eight minutes into the first period. The play caused a scuffle in front of the net, leaving defenseman Jeremy Davies alone with the puck to get the offense going.
Late in the first period, the Silver Knights found themselves on the power play. Looking to cash in, Trevor Connelly found Lukas Cormier, whose shot bounced above Calgary goaltender Owen Say and went behind the goal line with a little under two seconds remaining.
The second period went by with little issue, before Henderson hit on back-to-back plays in the final five minutes. Jackson Hallum would fight to keep play in the Henderson offensive zone before finding Lucas Johansen for a shot from the point, giving the rookie forward something for the scoresheet on an overall excellent weekend from him. Nine seconds later, Connelly finally got himself on the board by skating past the entire Wranglers defense and making good on a breakaway attempt.
“He’s dynamic for sure. We’ve probably seen that move ten times during practice this week, so it was nice to see he can put it into a game too. But he’s quite a talented kid, he plays hard, he’s fun to watch,” said Silver Knights captain and defenseman Jaycob Megna.
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Late third period goals from Matvei Gridin and Daniil Miromanov put a damper on the night for Hart, but it would be the closest the Wranglers would get to a comeback. A last-second empty net goal from Megna effectively sealed the deal for a 5-2 Henderson victory.
“We got a lot of offensive-minded D-men, a lot of guys who can shoot it. It’s been good to see, jumping in the rush. It really helps our offense be a lot more dangerous,” said Megna about defensemen being responsible for four Henderson goals.
