Golden Knights announce ECHL affiliation with Tahoe Knight Monsters

Pro hockey in Nevada is one complete unit.

On Tuesday, Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the team is entering a multi-year affiliation agreement with the Tahoe Lake Monsters of the ECHL, starting with the 2024-25 season.

The Knight Monsters join the Henderson Silver Knights as the Golden Knight’s top two affiliates.

“Two critical goals in our organization are to develop strong hockey players and grow the game of hockey in Nevada,” McCrimmon said in a release. “Our new partnership with Tahoe ensures that our prospects will progress in a first-class environment, and our Hockey Operations personnel will work with a great business staff to bring an exciting product to a new fanbase. We are very pleased to welcome the Knight Monsters here to Nevada.”

The Golden Knights were previously affiliated with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, a two-year partnership that began in 2022. during the 2023-24 season. Vegas was previously affiliated with the Quad City Mallards (2017-18) and Fort Wayne Komets (2018-22).

Tahoe is a new kid on the professional hockey block. The Knight Monsters will be joining the ‘AA’ league next season, giving the ECHL 29 teams. The team is co-owned by Zawyer Sports & Entertainment, the group that also owns the Jacksonville Icemen and Ghost Pirates, along with the American Hockey League’s Charlotte Checkers. The team will be playing its home affairs at the new, 4,200-seat Tahoe Blue Event Center in the city of Stateside. Alex Loh was announced as the first head coach in franchise history back in May.

The Knight Monsters will be coming into the ECHL with another new franchise, as the Bloomington Bison will also begin play in 2024-25. The Bison will be affiliated with the New York Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack.