When you start the season 4-1-1, you feel extremely good about yourself. The Henderson Silver Knights have that feeling, especially after a dismal 2024-25 showing. They finished dead last in the division that year with 63 points.
Now? They're tied for second in the Pacific Division and have nine points entering Tuesday. Considering they have a heavy burden to carry after the Vegas Golden Knights and the Tahoe Knight Monsters have been successful, it's reassuring to see the AHL club succeed.
What a time to be alive, especially as a Nevada hockey fan.
After all, the group hasn't had much to hang their hats on after an abysmal period. They've missed the Calder Cup playoffs and haven't produced many NHL-ready players, sans Kaedan Korczak and Pavel Dorofeyev. In fact, the Silver Knights became the proverbial punching bag alongside the Las Vegas Raiders in Nevada sports before this season started. How bad is that?
Luckily, the boys are turning it around to start the season. They're finally putting the pieces together with strong games against teams like the defending Calder Cup champions, the Abbotsford Canucks. On top of that, they're taking care of business against divisional opponents like the Ontario Reign and the San Diego Gulls.
But, who's behind the incredible start? Which three names come to mind regarding the Silver Knights's success? Get ready to be shocked by the people that come up because Henderson's had some surprising contributors!
1.) Lukas Cormier
It's already been mentioned how well Cormier's doing to start the season. After a forgettable 2024-25 campaign where he scored nine assists in 19 games, the defenseman is rebounding nicely. He has a goal and three assists in his first six games, making him one of the most surprising contributors.
If he continues on his current pace, the 23-year-old will score 12 goals and 36 assists, marking a breakout season. That would be huge for his development, signifying he's one step closer to playing in the NHL.
2.) Raphael Lavoie
The Golden Knights fanbase hasn't seen much from the forward at the NHL level. However, he's doing great things so far with Henderson, scoring three goals and two assists. That includes two power play goals, turning the Silver Knights into a special teams nightmare.
While it'll be tough for Lavoie to break through the numerous forwards swarming the Golden Knights roster, he can make himself at home with the AHL squad. That's not bad, especially with the mentorship he could provide to the younger prospects.
3.) Jackson Hallum
The University of Michigan alum didn't do much with his former University. He scored 17 goals and 25 assists in three seasons with the Wolverines, making him an offensive liability. However, it appears he's close to matching those numbers.
Already, Hallum has a goal and two assists in five games. He's projected to score 14 goals and 28 assists, which would be close to matching his NCAA totals. Watch for him as he continues his first season with the Silver Knights.