The Tahoe Knight Monsters are staying tied to the Vegas Golden Knights for at least two more seasons, with the two organizations announcing an extension of their ECHL affiliation agreement through the 2028 season. The news lands just days before the Stateline-based team drops the puck on its third year of existence, with Tahoe opening its own season against the Wichita Thunder on Saturday, Oct. 17.
According to KLAS 8 News Now, the deal could stretch even further, with the organizations noting the affiliation may be extended through the 2029 season per the announcement. Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the Knight Monsters have been a great addition to the organization and Nevada during the past two seasons, adding that both organizations aim to prioritize prospect development and hockey growth.
The partnership dates back to July 16, 2024, when the Golden Knights first designated the Knight Monsters as the official ECHL affiliate for both the NHL club and the AHL's Henderson Silver Knights, according to NHL.com. That arrangement built an all-Nevada pipeline spanning three tiers of professional hockey, letting prospects move between Las Vegas, Henderson, and Stateline, as detailed by FloHockey.
A Young Franchise Finds Its Footing
The Knight Monsters are still a relatively new addition to the hockey landscape. The ECHL Board of Governors approved the Lake Tahoe expansion franchise in July 2023, and the team debuted in the 2024-25 season as the league's 29th member, per the Official Site of The ECHL. Co-owner David Hodges said the team is excited to continue its affiliation with Vegas, adding that the Knight Monsters value working with a championship-caliber organization and keeping their player pipeline in Nevada, per the station's report.
Hodges and fellow co-owner Tim Tebow have not stopped at Tahoe. In August 2025, the pair secured approval for another ECHL expansion team in Augusta, Georgia, set to begin play in the 2027-28 season, according to Daily Faceoff. That expansion push fits a broader trend across the league, which has grown toward 32 franchises to mirror the NHL's 32-team structure, with 30 NHL teams maintaining direct ECHL affiliates at the time of the outlet's report.
New Coach, Returning Roster Ahead of Home Opener
The Knight Monsters head into their third season with a new man behind the bench. In July, the team named Connor Jones, a former Vegas Golden Knights college scout and Princeton assistant coach, as its second head coach, replacing inaugural head coach Alex Loh, per the Official Site of The ECHL.
The roster retains familiar faces, too. That same month, the club extended qualifying offers to five key players for the 2026-27 season, including forwards Kevin Wall and Adam Pitters alongside defensemen Tucker Ness, Mike Van Unen, and Aidan De La Gorgendiere, according to the league's official site. The Knight Monsters open their home slate on Friday, Oct. 23 against the New Mexico Goatheads at the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
Home Ice at the Tahoe Blue Event Center
That venue, the Tahoe Blue Event Center in Stateline, spans 138,550 square feet and has 5,000 seats, with capacity analyzed for up to 6,000, according to the Tahoe Daily Tribune. The team's identity draws on Tahoe Tessie, a legendary creature in local lake folklore.
The franchise has also attracted star power off the ice. HGTV's Chip and Joanna Gaines are Knight Monsters co-owners, alongside Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and majority owner David Hodges. With a new coach, a retained core, and now a multi-year commitment from Vegas locked in, the Knight Monsters are betting that stability both on and off the ice will keep professional hockey rooted in the Tahoe basin for years to come.
