Uknighted! Golden Knights celebrate Stanley Cup championship on Strip
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone hoists the Stanley Cup during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone (61) is showered with champagne while holding up the Stanley Cup during Knights’ celebration for their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights fans and players celebrate during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
The Golden Knights flood the stage for their post-Stanley Cup win celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Drummers march on the Stanley Cup championship parade route on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Confetti showers the crowd during the Golden Knights celebration for their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights center Brett Howden, center, cheers with the Stanley Cup as confetti rains down on the crowd to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
People celebrate during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault cheers with the crowd of 7,000 people outside T-Mobile Arena as the Knights celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, center, celebrates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights Reilly Smith, right, waves to the crowd wile drinking a bottle of champagne during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Fans crowd Toshiba Plaza before the Golden Knights parade down the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans cheer during the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Marquees on the Strip near Flamingo Road celebrate the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship team Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
A Golden Knights fan cheers as the Stanley Cup championship parade makes its way down the Strip on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights center Jack Eichel , left, shakes champagne with his teammates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Fans gather on Las Vegas Boulevard in and around Toshiba Plaza at the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone holds the Stanley Cup as he celebrates with fans during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill raises his drink to the crowd during the Knights Stanley Cup championship celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Viva Vegas cheerleaders pump up the crowd during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights defenseman Alec Martinez, left, center Jack Eichel and defenseman Brayden McNabb celebrate their Stanley Cup championship win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone holds the Stanley Cup as team owner Bill Foley, seated, look on as they celebrate with fans during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) sprays champagne on the crowd during Knights Stanley Cup Final championship celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans gather on Las Vegas Boulevard in and around Toshiba Plaza at the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone poses for a photo with Las Vegas police officers before the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Marquees on the Strip near Flamingo Road celebrate the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship team Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Golden Knights fans cheer as the Stanley Cup championship parade makes its way down the Strip on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Fans crowd Toshiba Plaza before the Golden Knights parade down the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans crowd Toshiba Plaza before the Golden Knights parade down the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights fans and players celebrate during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, right, holds the Stanley Cup as he celebrates with fans during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, left, right wing Mark Stone and defenseman Brayden McNabb celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans cheer the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship parade on the Strip at Flamingo Road in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith, left, right wing Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson, all original members of the Knights, celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Las Vegas police officers ride motorbikes as fans cheer during the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
The Golden Knights fans go wild for TV cameras as the Knights parade down Las Vegas Boulevard to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Buses full of Golden Knights players make their way down the strip during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, center, and team owner Bill Foley, left, hold the Stanley Cup as they celebrate with fans during a parade to mark their team’s win the Stanley Cup, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Golden Knights fans and players celebrate during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
The Golden Knights celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
A Golden knights fan waves to players on the busses during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Confetti showers Golden Knights fans as they gather to celebrate the team’s Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, center, hoists the Stanley Cup with his teammates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights fans go wild for their team during the celebration of the Knights’ Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, second from right, tears up while giving a speech during the Knights’ celebration for their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Golden Knights fans cheer at Toshiba Plaza while waiting for the Golden Knights to parade to them down Las Vegas Boulevard to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans cheer the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship parade turns off Flamingo Road to the Strip in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault, center, celebrates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Confetti shoots into the air during the Golden Knights celebration for their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault celebrates with the Stanley Cup during Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final win celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans cheer the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship parade on Flamingo Road near the Strip in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy celebrates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone holds the Stanley Cup as he celebrates with fans during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Fans pack Toshiba Plaza and beyond during the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup Final win celebration on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship busses, left, make their way to the beginning of the parade route on the Strip at Flamingo Road in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Jonathan Marchessault, right, celebrates during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights fans and players celebrate during a parade to mark their team’s Stanley Cup win, on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal @bizutesfaye
Fans cheer during the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights center William Karlsson, left, poses on the stage during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Fans cheer the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship parade on Flamingo Road near the Strip in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
The Golden Knights celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win with a crowd of more than 7,000 outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
People celebrate during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Marquees on Las Vegas Boulevard during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Fans cheer during the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Fans cheer the Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup championship parade on the Strip at Flamingo Road in Las Vegas Saturday, June 17, 2023. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto
The Stanley Cup is lifted up in front of fans during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Stanley Cup is carried down the Strip during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights right wing Reilly Smith, left, right wing Jonathan Marchessault and William Karlsson, all original members of the Knights, celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
People hold up the Stanley Cup after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
The Golden Knights fans celebrate their team’s Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Fans gather on Las Vegas Boulevard in and around Toshiba Plaza at the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
The Golden Knights rally around right wing Phil Kessel, holding the Stanley Cup, as they celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
The Stanley Cup is lifted up in front of fans during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A drone light show is displayed above the T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
A Golden Knights fan is hoisted into the air during the team’s celebration of their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy cheers on the crowd as his team celebrates their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Buses full of Golden Knights players make their way down the Strip during the Stanley Cup championship parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy celebrates with the Stanley Cup during Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final win celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone, from left, Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Golden Knights Chairman, CEO and Governor Bill Foley drink Foley’s wine together before the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo celebrates with the Stanley Cup during Golden Knights Stanley Cup Final win celebration outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
People celebrate during a rally at Toshiba Plaza after the Golden Knights’ NHL hockey Stanley Cup victory parade, Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Chitose Suzuki/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @chitosephoto
Golden Knights center William Karlsson cheers toward the crowd as the Knights take the stage to celebrate their Stanley Cup Final win outside T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @ellenschmidttt
Golden Knight’s players drink out of the Stanley Cup during the Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup Championship Parade on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Las Vegas. (Daniel Pearson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
It’ll probably go down as one of the most memorable parties the Strip has ever experienced.
Tens of thousands of fans joined the team on the 1-mile parade route, running from Flamingo Road and heading south toward Tropicana Avenue. The celebration finished with a raucous rally at Toshiba Plaza outside T-Mobile Arena.
At least 7,000 fans packed into the plaza, perhaps too many because Las Vegas police had to close the area off before the Knights players arrived.
Las Vegas police said they prepared for upwards of 100,000 people to jam viewing areas along Las Vegas Boulevard for the celebration that planners compared with annual New Year’s Eve fireworks shows that in past years drew estimates of 400,000 people.
Jonathan Marchessault, who received the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, was among several players who spoke at the rally.
Marchessault is one of the six original members of the Golden Knights expansion team. He and the others — Reilly Smith, William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb and William Carrier — were among the first to hold the Stanley Cup during post-game celebrations.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report.
