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Shea Theodore Shines as Golden Knights Return Post-Olympics
Golden Knights rally around Theodore's late goal for Team Canada as they prepare for NHL playoff push.
Feb. 21, 2026 at 9:33am
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The Vegas Golden Knights returned to practice on Friday after the Olympic break, with several players and head coach Bruce Cassidy still competing overseas. The team closely followed the semifinal matchup between Team Canada and their rival, where defenseman Shea Theodore scored a late goal to tie the game. The Golden Knights' locker room erupted in enthusiasm over Theodore's heroics, underscoring the strong connection between the roster and their national teams. As the Olympics conclude, the focus in Las Vegas shifts to the NHL's final stretch, where the Golden Knights face a critical playoff race in the tightening Western Conference.
Why it matters
The Golden Knights' strong interest and investment in the Olympic performances of their players highlights the team's tight-knit culture and the pride they take in representing their countries. As the NHL season resumes, the Golden Knights must quickly regain their rhythm and momentum to secure a playoff spot in the highly competitive Western Conference.
The details
The Golden Knights gathered upstairs at City National Arena to watch the final moments of the Team Canada semifinal matchup, where Shea Theodore scored a late goal to tie the game. Teammates like Keegan Kolesar and Kaedan Korczak expressed their excitement and pride over Theodore's performance. With the Olympics concluding, the Golden Knights now turn their attention to the final 25 games of the NHL regular season, including an upcoming five-game road trip. Assistant coach John Stevens emphasized the challenges the team faces in regaining their execution and rhythm after the Olympic break, drawing on their experience from last season's similar hiatus. The team expects their Olympians, including Theodore, to rejoin the lineup immediately, but managing their workload will be crucial as the Golden Knights navigate a condensed schedule.
- The Golden Knights returned to practice on Friday, February 21, 2026.
- The Team Canada semifinal matchup where Shea Theodore scored the late goal occurred just prior to the Golden Knights' return to practice.
The players
Shea Theodore
A defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights who scored a late goal for Team Canada in the Olympic semifinal matchup.
Keegan Kolesar
A forward for the Vegas Golden Knights who expressed enthusiasm over Shea Theodore's goal for Team Canada.
Kaedan Korczak
A defenseman for the Vegas Golden Knights who described the team's strong interest and investment in the Olympic performances of their players.
Bruce Cassidy
The head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights who remained overseas competing in the Winter Olympics.
John Stevens
An assistant coach for the Vegas Golden Knights who emphasized the challenges the team faces in regaining their execution and rhythm after the Olympic break.
What they’re saying
“Yeah, I watched, uh, walked in the rink and it was 2-0, I was like, we're fine, not a worry in the world, uh, you know, just gotta get Shea on the ice more, and look what happens.”
— Keegan Kolesar, Forward (theconwaybulletin.com)
“Yeah, we were all upstairs, I was so glued to the TV...I think we all were, especially when they scored there late to tie it up, and we were all just so happy for them.”
— Kaedan Korczak, Defenseman (theconwaybulletin.com)
“When you've been off for 10 days, they have to work on everything. We have to get them acclimated again...get the execution back.”
— John Stevens, Assistant Coach (theconwaybulletin.com)
“We have a little bit of a template there, pointing to how the team's strong play after that hiatus offers a model to follow.”
— John Stevens, Assistant Coach (theconwaybulletin.com)
“It's just a matter of getting them back to where they were, just let's get back to where we were.”
— John Stevens, Assistant Coach (theconwaybulletin.com)
What’s next
The Golden Knights expect their Olympians, including Shea Theodore, to rejoin the lineup immediately upon their return from the Winter Games. Managing the workload of these players will be essential as the team navigates a compressed schedule with limited recovery time.
The takeaway
The Golden Knights' strong interest and investment in the Olympic performances of their players highlights the team's tight-knit culture and the pride they take in representing their countries. As the NHL season resumes, the Golden Knights must quickly regain their rhythm and momentum to secure a playoff spot in the highly competitive Western Conference.
