Golden Knights fans buy up commemorative posters, pucks
From the moment the Golden Knights unveiled their team name and logo on Nov. 22, 2016, their merchandise has been a hot seller.
Jerseys. T-shirts. Hats. Fans from all over the world have been purchasing Knights gear.
On Saturday, a massive crowd started lining up at 3 a.m at the team’s City National Arena practice facility to purchase a special edition commemorative poster that retailed for $70.20, along with a special edition pregame puck that sold for $15.
The poster — 702 were printed — was a collage of the individual player posters that were distributed for free at every home game. One hundred pucks were manufactured. The items were bought within minutes after the doors to the team store opened at 10 a.m.
It didn’t take long for the posters to hit the internet; one was offered on eBay for $500.
“We expected a great turnout,” said Brian Killingsworth, the team’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “But it was overwhelming. We had a two-poster limit and a one-puck limit. It was a record day.
“It shows how hungry this area has been for a major league team it could call its own. Then you throw in the events of 1 October and how the team and the city came together. And, of course, we’ve been winning. When you put all three together, it shows why we had the turnout this morning that we did.”
Perron remains out
Forward David Perron missed his third straight game Saturday when the Knights hosted the San Jose Sharks at T-Mobile Arena. Coach Gerard Gallant wasn’t specific about Perron’s injury, saying only that it was minor.
Gallant said three other injured players — forward Reilly Smith, defenseman Luca Sbisa and forward Will Carrier — could join the team on its Western Canada trip that begins Tuesday in Vancouver.
“I’ll know a little more after practice Monday,” Gallant said.
The Knights will be off on Easter Sunday.
Career milestone
Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury won his 404th NHL game when the Knights edged the Sharks 3-2 to clinch the Pacific Division title. He moved past Grant Fuhr and is 11th on the career list. Glenn Hall is 10th with 407 wins.
700 for Neal
Knights forward James Neal, 30, played in his 700th NHL game Saturday. He has 263 goals, 232 assists and 495 points in 10 seasons.
Neal has 25 goals and 19 assists for 44 points in 67 games with the Knights.
Contact Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.