I'm watching old clips of Bill Nye and he's talking about carbon being everywhere in our system. The scientist discusses it being in the trees, air, and even the cows. Now, Mr. Nye is a passionate speaker about numerous scientific topics, whether it's an atom or the molecular breakdown of oxygen. However, his speech on carbon struck me as interesting.
Why, you might ask? Because the passion felt in that speech was something I (and many passionate hockey fans) could resonate with. He was enthralled in his talk about carbon the same way many fans are about their own teams. Whether you like him or not, it shows how intimate we can become with our biggest loves.
That's especially true with the Vegas Golden Knights, where fans will rejoice at seeing (or hearing) the Rookie Faceoff starting September 13. It doesn't matter if they listen to Dan D'Uva on the radio or travel to El Segundo. What matters is that hockey is back and fans are getting a beloved pastime back into their lives.
Speaking of the faceoff, there are three names that fans should learn about for the upcoming event. Fans already know about what Mathieu Cataford can do and are in awe of the incredible goaltending prospects the Golden Knights have. But fans should know what the future has in store, starting with the prospects on the ice.
Who are these mysterious names that have the fanbase intrigued? What makes them special for the Golden Knights as they try to win more Stanley Cups? It's time to learn about the fascinating names and faces behind the Vegas farm system (Jett Jones, anyone?). Here are three players you should know about for the upcoming competition (no, I didn't pick these based on their names).
Be afraid of Bear, Bear Hughes in the forest
Mind the infamous Ilya Bryzgalov quote for a second and learn about the forward known as Bear Hughes. He's a big center who carries so much strength in his game, fending off defenders with his frame. He wins from disadvantage positions and easily shakes off checks, making him a tough matchup for his opponents.
But that's not the only thing he can do to fool defenders. He also misdirects his opponents and leads them astray, creating open looks and opportunities. Mix in great skating and a nice forechecking ability and Hughes can become a solid offensive threat for the Vegas Golden Knights. He could fit in within Bruce Cassidy's current system and become a contributing team member.
His presence wasn't felt much last season, where he played one game with the Henderson Silver Knights and five games with the Savannah Ghost Pirates. However, he was a solid scorer in 2022-23, scoring 23 goals and 36 assists in 66 games with the South Carolina Stingrays. His production can add to the Golden Knights, turning them into a stronger offensive group.