Golden Knights forward Erik Haula announces engagement

A Golden Knight had a golden day Sunday.

Erik Haula, a forward for the Vegas Golden Knights in their inaugural season, proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Kristen Boege, on Sunday. His Instagram hashtag #shesaidyes indicates her response.

According to four-photo Instagram post by Photographer Britany Maxwell on her @thelightandthelove page, Haula proposed at Mount Charleston (hence, the woodsy environment).

Secret’s out! I was able to capture this magical moment. This is why I LOVE what I do. I will never forget how emotional Erik was and how teary eyed I became behind my lens. This proposal was so real & raw and I feel so honored to have been there. Congrats Kristen & Erik! 💛✨💫

A post shared by Britany Maxwell (@thelightandthelove) on Jun 11, 2018 at 5:43pm PDT

Boege was clearly surprised at the overture. As she posted on her IG page, “This guy goes above and beyond (how he pulled yesterday off) in everything he does and I couldn’t be more lucky to call him my future husband.”

Mrs. Haula has a real good ring to it 💍 #shesaidyes

A post shared by Erik Haula (@ehaula) on Jun 11, 2018 at 5:32pm PDT

In later posts Sunday night, the couple are shown partying at XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, sharing a cake decorated with a pair of hearts reading “Erik & Kristen” and “Just Engaged.”

At one point, a fellow revelers playfully smashes the cake into Haula’s face. An engagement party face-off, if you will.

WE’RE ENGAGED!!! This guy goes above and beyond (how he pulled yesterday off 😱😱) in everything he does and I couldn’t be more lucky to call him my future husband ♥️ My heart is exploding from the relationship and all the friendships we have built together the last 6 and a half years. We are so blessed to be surrounded by SO MUCH LOVE & support and living this crazy thing we call life in the fast lane! @ehaula you are my very best friend and greatest adventure. Here’s to forever baby! 🥂 • • Also, @thelightandthelove you are AMAZING! 📷

A post shared by Kristen Boege (@kboegz) on Jun 11, 2018 at 5:26pm PDT

Haula and Boege have been together for nearly seven years. She is a native of Minneapolis; Haula moved from Finland to Faibault, Minn., at age 16 after growing up in Finland. He originally played for the Minnesota Wild before signing with the Golden Knights in 2017.

Haula and Boege were together Saturday at a team party at the Palms, dining at Scotch 80 Prime. The couple later bought a round of drinks for several Golden Knights players and their spouses and girlfriends in a VIP bar at Pearl Concert Theater. The team and their guests attended that night’s Blink-182 show, and the night ended at Apex Social Club.

Under a photo of the couple posing just after the proposal, Haula posted, “Mrs. Haula has a nice ring to it.”

John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.