The AHL Henderson Silver Knights yesterday held the "grand opening" of their new practice facility in the downtown Water Street District of Henderson, Nev., according to Justin Emerson of the LAS VEGAS SUN. Lifeguard Arena features "two sheets of ice, weight and training areas, a restaurant overlooking Water Street and 5,000 square feet of meeting space." Meeting rooms "will be available for public bookings," and the rinks "will have open skates, figure skating, and youth and adult hockey leagues." Early next year, an outdoor plaza is "expected to open for hockey watch parties and other events." The arena "wasn't part of the Golden Knights' plan when they arrived to Las Vegas." However, following the "success and excitement of the team's first season," the Golden Knights "began looking closer to home" for an AHL affiliate. Golden Knights President Kerry Bubolz said, "We just saw an opportunity that was a little bit different than maybe what had been traditionally been the AHL model. It's going to be successful. We're really excited about it" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 11/11). In Las Vegas, Ben Gotz writes Lifeguard Arena should give the Silver Knights "one of the AHL's best facilities." The arena also "should be beneficial" to the Golden Knights' youth programs, as participants in the team's "current programming at City National Arena in Summerlin are from Henderson" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 11/11).
KRAKEN SHOW OFF PRACTICE FACILITY: In Seattle, Geoff Baker notes the Kraken yesterday held a media tour of the team's new $80M Northgate Mall headquarters where they will "begin training next fall." The tour "provided a glimpse" of the 167,000 square feet inside the "sprawling, three-rink complex." The team is "plowing ahead full speed." Kraken Senior VP/Digital & Fan Experience Todd Humphrey said, "We are laser-focused on the Fall of 2021." Baker notes the players' portion of the venue is to be "finalized July 15, while the public areas, two remaining ice surfaces and yes, the bar, should be done Sept. 1." The practice facility has "gone a lot more smoothly" than Climate Pledge Arena (SEATTLE TIMES, 11/11).
