🛑 Bruce James Cassidy reveals surprise Center forward called him about Golden Knights seat after Ivan Barbashev moved was confirmed
In a twist nobody saw coming—and frankly, probably didn’t want to see—Golden Knights head coach Bruce James Cassidy revealed that a certain “surprise” center forward picked up the phone to pitch themselves for the newly vacant spot after Ivan Barbashev’s departure.
“You won’t believe who it was,” Cassidy teased during a press conference, sporting that half-smirk coaches wear when they know they’re about to roast someone. “I thought it was a prank call at first.” And who could blame him? Rumor has it, the mystery caller’s resume is more “beer league legend” than NHL All-Star.
“He said he had ‘great hands’ and that he’s been ‘lighting up the pond hockey scene,’” Cassidy chuckled. “When I asked about his professional experience, he said, ‘Does coaching my kid’s team count?’”
Social media was quick to speculate. Was it a retired player looking for a comeback? A TikTok hockey influencer with a dream? Or… wait for it… a guy who still thinks the Vegas Golden Knights hold open tryouts like they’re casting for a movie?
“Let’s just say it wasn’t anyone whose name you’d find on a jersey, unless they had it custom-made at the team store,” Cassidy added, sending the media room into fits of laughter.
The Golden Knights coach then elaborated on the team’s actual plans to fill the gap left by Barbashev, who recently joined another team. Spoiler alert: the strategy involves scouting professionals, not wishful thinkers from the beer garden. “As much as we’d love a Cinderella story, this isn’t a Disney movie,” Cassidy quipped, firmly closing the door on any further fantasy auditions.
Fans, of course, had a field day with the revelation. Memes started pouring in, featuring everything from local hockey dads in ill-fitting Knights jerseys to a fake ad calling for “Centers Who Think They’re Better Than They Are.” One fan tweeted, “At least we know Vegas has backup plans if Eichel goes down. Maybe next, they’ll let a mascot play goalie.”
Cassidy, for his part, seems to be taking it all in stride. “It’s nice to see that kind of passion from our fans,” he said, clearly holding back another laugh. “But just to be clear… please stop calling.”
