The Vegas Golden Knights finished with a 3-0-0 record at the 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff with dominant displays by multiple prospects.
En route to their perfect record, the Golden Knights defeated the Los Angeles Kings, Seattle Kraken, and Utah HC. Every player had either games or moments where they stood out, but five players consistently left a major impact on the game. Among the players who had moments or games of brilliance were Bear Hughes, Ben Hemmerling, Viliam Kmec and Braeden Bowman.
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Mathieu Cataford
Entering the tournament Cataford was going to have to be one of the main driving forces offensively if the team was going to win and the QMJHL MVP did just that. The 19-year-old picked up points in each game including a goal against Utah. Cataford was creating chances on both the power play and 5-on-5. He routinely found passing lanes to set up his teammates and continuously drove the puck into high-danger areas. The Châteauguay, Quebec native has improved rapidly since the Golden Knights selected him in the third round of the 2023 NHL draft. Thus far, he’s made his AHL debut and was invited to Canada’s 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase.
Related: Golden Knights Prospect Mathieu Cataford Participates in Canada’s 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase
Jakub Brabenec
Brabenec has the physical tools and smarts that teams are looking for and this past weekend, Brabenec was able to put it all together. The 21-year-old scored two goals and three points this weekend and looked like the best player on the ice during many of his shifts. The 2021 fourth-round pick wrapped up his first professional season with the Henderson Silver Knights which saw him notch six goals and 13 points in 48 games. At 6’2, 176 lbs, the Czech-born forward can still add weight to his frame and develop his game further.
Carl Lindbom
A stellar season in the SHL carried into development camp and the Rookie Faceoff for Lindbom as he stopped 32 of the 35 shots he faced in 90 minutes of action. A bit undersized for the modern goaltender but Lindbom makes up for it in athleticism and with his ability to read the game. He’s not only able to read where the puck may be heading but also has the speed in his crease to get to his spots to make the saves. Preparing for his first pro season in North America, Lindbom has all the confidence you could ask for in a former seventh-round pick.
Related: Golden Knights Goaltender Prospect Puts On Stellar Display At The 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff
Matyas Sapovaliv
An understanding of what his strengths are and the ability to sacrifice parts of his game to win best describes Sapovaliv. The 20-year-old’s only point came on an empty net goal against the Kraken, yet he was still one of the most notable players for all the right reasons. Sapovaliv is on the defensive side of the puck each shift and uses stick checks and his body to constantly break up plays. He’s not the flashiest player but his game was one of the reasons why the Saginaw Spirit won the 2024 Memorial Cup. The 2022 fourth-round pick will be fighting for the third-line centre spot very soon for the Golden Knights, but first a season with the Silver Knights to continue his development.
🎥 Matyas Sapovaliv: I think we all competed hard, and it’s good to have a head start for main camp, and just feel some games in my legs. pic.twitter.com/TtBmq7j66B
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) September 16, 2024
Daniil Chayka
Similarly to Sapovaliv, Chayka doesn’t wow you with his skill but makes the correct plays look easy and uses his body to be a physical force. The 6’3 defenceman didn’t record a point in any of the three games but still impacted the play all over the ice. Against the Kraken, the 21-year-old fired three shots on goal and fought Nathan Villeneuve. The 2021-year-old second-round pick is entering his third season with the Silver Knights and will be looking to add another offensive layer to his game.
Pretty good tilt here between Seattle’s Nathan Villeneuve and Vegas’ Daniil Chayka, moments after the #Seakraken fall to a two-goal deficit
A little over a period and a half to go in the Kraken’s second and final game of the rookie faceoff pic.twitter.com/MwgdmQmNs1
— Allyson Ballard (@strainsovhorror) September 15, 2024
The next step for all these prospects is to carry it into training camp and preseason.
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Related: Golden Knights Beat Utah HC 5-3 To Improve to 3-0 At The 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff
Related: Golden Knights Holdoff The Kraken To Win 5-3 At The 2024 NHL Rookie Faceoff
