Advocates gang up on Carter Hart in Vegas debut

Carter Hart returned to the NHL on Tuesday, starting for the Golden Knights in his first game in 682 days against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. While the game went off without any visible protests in Vegas, social media lit up with opposition.

Hart, acquitted in the high-profile 2018 World Junior Hockey Canada case, has been a hot topic online for years. Many fans voiced their disapproval during his Vegas debut. Some pledged donations to organizations supporting sexual violence survivors for every goal Hart allowed.

One advocate posted: “For the entire season I will be cheering for every goal against, and making a $10 donation for every goal he gives up to the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton. SACE provides essential services to thousands of children, youth, and adults who have been impacted by sexual violence.”

Even the Chicago Blackhawks took to social media to react, posting content aimed at Hart in the minutes before puck drop.

Some quickly cheered when Hawks’ Oliver Moore scored on the first shot Hart faced very early in the first period.

Despite a few hiccups, Hart led Vegas to a 4-3 shootout victory over the Hawks. He had made a blunder earlier in the second period against Tyler Bertuzzi, misjudging the puck as it came off his stick.

Prior to the scandal Hart played a pivotal role in goal for the Philadelphia Flyers organization and amassed 227 games of NHL experience under his belt.

At this point, I get that he was acquitted and that he can learned from past mistakes and move forward in life. However, I was getting a bit fed up with the ESPN announcers acting like he’s some kind of hero for his return.

But fact remains, he’s back in the NHL and Vegas hopes he can be the goalie they can count on.