Vegas Golden Knights: Ryan Reaves really can do it all

Is there anything that Ryan Reaves can’t do? Not content with just playing hockey in the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights bruiser has been busy showing off his other talents throughout the off-season.

While most players crave a trip to sunnier climes and the chance to recharge the batteries following the long grind of an 82-game regular season and the playoffs if you are lucky enough to get that far, Reaves instead chooses to demonstrate why he continues to be the life and soul of the party both on and off the ice for the Vegas Golden Knights.

After a year in which he carved out career-highs in goals (9), assists (11), points (20), power play points (3), ATOI (10:52) and hits (305), Reaves has refused to take it easy this summer and he’s been busy putting his hand to other tasks away from the world of hockey. There’s no rest for the wicked as they say.

Opting not to return to his native Manitoba for the first time in his nine-year NHL career, Reaves began to heal the wounds of an early postseason exit to the San Jose Sharks by throwing himself into his newest business venture away from the rink.

Called ‘7Five Brewing’, Reaves’ company has been created to reflect the culture and bright lights of Sin City, a place the bruising wing now proudly calls home. He has teamed up with Able Baker Brewing Co. and a restaurant/pub will open soon after a liquor license was granted.

It is an impressive business venture and one Reaves obviously has a lot of passion for. The company is currently working on a number of different alcoholic beverages, including an Imperial Stout aptly named the ‘Grim Reaver’ and a Golden Ale simply titled ‘Training Day.’

But that hasn’t been the only thing keeping Reaves busy this off-season. Oh no. In true Ryan Reaves fashion, the gritty enforcer found himself officiating a wedding over the weekend. As you do.

Looking the part in a jazzy green suit, Reaves entered the Chapel of the Flowers in the only way he knows how, by chirping loudly and declaring “Many of you know me as Ryan Reaves, the Grim Reaver, Reavo, (Evander) Kane’s worst nightmare.”

God, we love Reavo!

And that wasn’t the only surreal moment of a day that deserves to be filed in the truly bonkers category. No, what was crazier was that everyone in attendance was given a rally-towel to wave and there were members of the local media in attendance.

Reaves lapped it all up and entertained as he always does but, of course, the big day belonged to groom Justin Long and his wife, Laura who were lucky winners of a contest staged by the Chapel of the Flowers to either have a wedding or renew vows with Reaves officiating. Because, again, as you do.

It was a renewal of vows for the Longs who secretly married 39 days after meeting at a barbecue four years ago, before hosting a big get-together for family and friends in San Diego a year later. Both Justin and Laura are huge Vegas Golden Knights and Reaves fans, with the majority of those in attendance also wearing Golden Knights jerseys.

Reaves was the life and soul of the party at the ceremony as he is everywhere he goes, and he was more than happy to pose for pictures, sign autographs and plug his beer of course. He also took time to speak about the upcoming season and his future in Sin City.

Speaking to the Las Vegas Review Journal, Reaves – who will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2020 – made it clear that he wishes to retire in Sin City and he also revealed the motivation in the locker room heading into 2019-20.

“I think I speak for my teammates when I say we’re excited for the season. I think we’ve got a chip on our shoulder – two chips on our shoulder, to be honest. Last year, the way things ended, I think we’re hungry to get back and prove what kind of team we actually have. Me and my family decided this is home now. Obviously, I want to retire here. I want to play here as long as I can, so being out in the community is important.”

That will be music to the ears of every single Vegas Golden Knights fan, who have taken Reaves to their hearts due to his gritty and tenacious attitude on the ice, in addition to his bubbly and infectious personality off it. He’s become a hugely popular figure both in the locker room and in the wider community and he also plays a key depth role on the ice, chipping in with secondary scoring while protecting his teammates with his fearless approach and bruising hits, as well as his hunger to drop the gloves.

What happens a year from now remains to be seen but this summer has certainly been an eventful one for Ryan Reaves, who can now add ‘Wedding Officiator’ to his lengthy resume.

Because, only in Vegas.