The first day of Training Camp has come and gone in Sin City. From 9 a.m. PST to 3:30 p.m. PST, the Vegas Golden Knights took the ice in three different groups. The first group— Team Vegas— stole the show, icing three offensive juggernauts in Mitch Marner, Jack Eichel, and Shea Theodore.
Equally important is another high-profile player in the second group, dubbed Team Golden: Tomáš Hertl.
Last season, Hertl was an absolute force to be reckoned with. He led the team with 14 power play goals. His 32 total goals– three shy of the team lead– were the most he scored in a single season since 2018-19. He even enjoyed an 11-game point streak, during which he scored six goals and recorded 15 points.
Unfortunately for both Hertl and the Golden Knights, he suffered an injury at the worst possible time: right before the postseason.
“It was a tough break, [to get injured] right before the playoffs,” Hertl told Vegas Hockey Now. “Especially with how my line was doing. It happened– tough luck… But I’m ready to go. I feel healthy, and hopefully I have an even better year.”
Hertl found a home centering Brandon Saad and Pavel Dorofeyev. They scored 10 goals in just 16 regular season games together. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Knights began Training Camp with that line intact.
“We had great chemistry last year,” said Hertl of his linemates. “If we can play together and score goals like we did last year, that would be awesome.”
Hertl has never been the fastest player on the ice. Instead, he relies on his high hockey IQ, which allows him to see and think the game faster than most. His smooth hands and size– he’s 6’3”, 220lbs– make him a menace around the net.
None of this is a surprise to the 12-year veteran. He knows his game and takes great pride in constantly working to improve it.
“I [work on] everything,” said Hertl on his offseason training. “I’m trying to keep up because the league is getting faster and faster. But I’m working [on being] around the net, holding pucks… That’s my game, and I’m always trying to get better.”