Golden Knights to unveil AHL team name, logo Thursday

The Golden Knights’ new American Hockey League team, which had its Henderson arena approved last week, will soon get a name and logo.

Both will be unveiled at 7 p.m. Thursday as part of a one-hour special on KSNV-TV, Channel 3. The announcement also will be livestreamed via the team’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Twitch platforms.

The name “Silver Knights” remains the betting favorite after Knights owner Bill Foley confirmed to the Review-Journal in February that his group submitted a trademark application to keep it as an option.

“It’s right at the top of the list,” Foley said in February.

Foley is expected to appear on the special, as are Henderson Mayor Debra March and Knights prospect Ben Jones.

The announcement will bring the organization another step closer to its dream of having a local AHL affiliate. The process was started Feb. 6 when the Knights purchased the San Antonio Rampage with the intention of moving them to the Las Vegas Valley.

“Three short years ago, we were gearing up to unveil the NHL’s newest franchise: The Vegas Golden Knights,” Knights president Kerry Bubolz said in a statement. “Today, we’re more than excited to find ourselves back where we started as we prepare to launch our new AHL franchise in Henderson. We had hoped to celebrate the day with our fans in person, but with the health and safety of our community at the forefront of our decision-making, we have decided to take a virtual approach.”

The AHL team is expected to play at Orleans Arena while its arena is being built. The rink, which will replace the Henderson Pavilion at Green Valley and Paseo Verde parkways, will cost $80 million — with the Knights and the city each paying for half — and seat 6,000. The team is expected to move in July 2022.

The arena was approved by the Henderson City Council 4-1 on May 19 despite vocal opposition from some who live in the area.

Contact Ben Gotz at bgotz@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BenSGotz on Twitter.