Only the most passionate Vegas Golden Knights fans are paying attention to the Tahoe Knight Monsters. The newest ECHL franchise is making waves in hockey, bringing the cold game to the Lake Tahoe region. Imagine going to an ECHL game after chilling on the lake or snow. How cool does that sound?
But one prospect is playing like he has ice in his veins. Sloan Stanick has done well for the team so far, leading the Knight Monsters in points (14) before Friday. It's always cool to lead a team called the "Knight Monsters" in points, especially since people don't know the concept of a "Knight Monster."
Still, that doesn't matter to a player like Stanick, whose purpose is impacting his team and the NHL affiliate. The forward has five goals and nine assists to start the season, making him one of the most reliable players for the newest franchise. In turn, it's boosted his stock within the organization and has fans watching him intently.
Therefore, it's obligatory to shed the spotlight on a solid prospect and see if he has a future with the Golden Knights. What makes Stanick an exceptional player in the ECHL sphere? What does he do that makes him stand out with the team? Let's profile the forward and see what makes him special.
Looking at Sloan Stanick's profile
Sloan Stanick is a left-handed shot within the Vegas Golden Knights organization. The 21-year-old is undrafted and hails from Brandon, Manitoba. That's the same hometown as Zach Whitecloud and Keegan Kolesar. The forward stands at 6'0" and weighs 185 lbs.
He's known as the prospect who shined in the 2024 Rookie Faceoff. He gave the Golden Knights countless scoring opportunities, using his incredible on-ice vision to prepare and set up plays. The forward also has solid handles and puck-moving abilities, making him a reliable asset offensively.
You also need a player who's great with his shot selection. It doesn't matter if it's the Golden Knights or the Tahoe Knight Monsters. That's what a good forward does in hockey. That's also where Stanick comes in, for he specializes in this endeavor. He can locate the opposing netminder's weak points and attack accordingly. In turn, he's a dangerous goal scorer who can contribute at a high clip.
Does Stanick have a shot with the Vegas Golden Knights?
Currently, he's not destined to make the Vegas Golden Knights roster. Being at the ECHL level with the Tahoe Knight Monsters won't do much to get him to the NHL level. There's also a line of players ready to step in in case players get injured. With the Golden Knights getting healthy, Stanick won't have that opportunity any time soon.
In fact, he'll still need some development in his game. While the 21-year-old has shown signs of brilliance in places such as the Rookie Faceoff, his next step will probably be with the Henderson Silver Knights. He's played two games with the AHL club this season, but he didn't get any points.
Still, that shouldn't discourage Stanick from pushing on with his dream of playing with the Golden Knights. When you've scored 81 goals and 112 assists in three seasons with the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders, you're bound to turn heads. That's especially true if you're carrying that play over to the minor leagues, where you're dominating the competition.