Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo celebrated his 1,000th NHL game with a touching ceremony at T-Mobile Arena. Skating onto the ice with his sons and joined by his wife, daughters, parents, and Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon, Pietrangelo was surrounded by former teammates and coaches who came to honor his milestone. A video tribute featured testimonials from Jay Bouwmeester, David Backes, Craig Berube, Mark Stone, Alec Martinez, and coach Bruce Cassidy, along with heartfelt messages from his family.
Expressing gratitude for the support throughout his career, Pietrangelo acknowledged the importance of relationships and credited his wife, kids, and teammates for his success. With 758 games with St. Louis and 242 with Vegas, Pietrangelo reflected on the impact of those he’s crossed paths with over the years. As a three-time All-Star and gold medalist, he’s achieved success both individually and as part of championship teams.McCrimmon highlighted Pietrangelo’s leadership and contributions to the Golden Knights, noting his role in the team’s Stanley Cup victory. Presenting him with a gold hockey stick, McCrimmon emphasized Pietrangelo’s value beyond his on-ice abilities, describing him as a great friend and leader in the locker room. Selected fourth overall in the 2008 NHL Draft, Pietrangelo joined an elite group of players in reaching the 1,000-game milestone.Reflecting on the significance of the achievement, Pietrangelo expressed appreciation for the rarity of the accomplishment in NHL history. Despite the focus on individual milestones, he remained committed to enjoying the moment and contributing to his team’s success. In Monday night’s game against the Wild, Pietrangelo continued to make an impact, assisting on both first-period goals as he celebrated his remarkable career achievement.