Doesn't it feel great to be picked? Whether it's in a romantic sense or on the competitive scene, being recognized for the awesome person you are has numerous benefits. It boosts your dopamine levels and makes you feel more confident. It also honors your work, where people see you as being an excellent being.
Bruce Cassidy was honored on Wednesday, being selected to be on Team Canada's coaching staff in the 4 Nations Face-Off. During the competition, he'll see Jack Eichel representing the United States, providing Vegas Golden Knights fans with some fun moments and memories. Team Canada already has legendary names such as Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby, which is a remarkable feat in itself.
Imagine coaching two of the defining players of their respective generations. With countless Hart Memorial Trophies and Stanley Cups (okay, Crosby's the only one out of the two with Stanley Cups), it makes for an awe-inspiring moment. It tells others that you've made it and you're here to stay, even if you're only an assistant (like Cassidy here).
However, Cassidy isn't the only member of the Golden Knights who's been honored for his work. Other names have been recognized for their achievements, adding credence to the Golden Knights' name. Let's dive into these other players and what made them special.
Which other Vegas Golden Knights stars aside from Bruce Cassidy have earned nice accolades?
One notable Vegas Golden Knights player who earned a fantastic accolade in the past was goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. He won the Vezina Trophy in 2021 with a GAA of 1.98 and a save percentage of .928 (36 games in a COVID-shortened season). It might not say much when a pandemic cuts the length of a season. However, "Flower" had impressive stats through those 36 games, which earned Vegas their first Vezina winner. He also won the William Jennings Trophy with Robin Lehner for allowing the fewest goals as a goaltending duo. On top of that, he had three All-Star selections with the Golden Knights.
Fans also know about Jonathan Marchessault's Conn Smythe Trophy win during the 2023 Stanley Cup run. The "Original Misfit" was a key part of their first championship, scoring 13 goals and 12 assists. The year prior, Marchessault was also selected to the All-Star Game. However, another "Misfit" won a notable award: William Karlsson was a gentleman-like player on the ice in 2017-18 with 12 total penalty minutes. That earned him the Lady Byng Trophy, becoming the first Golden Knights player to win it.
There are other nice honors that organizational members have won, such as General Manager of the Year (George McPhee in 2017-18). But the overall message is to make people feel special and tell one thing you like about them. Even if they're your most annoying adversary, compliment them and make them feel like they've been selected to be in the 4 Nations Face-Off (i.e. Bruce Cassidy as an assistant). After all, there's already enough stress and anger in today's world.