LAS VEGAS — From the start, the Vegas Golden Knights have always said they will look to improve their roster whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Apparently, that includes adding a player who was accused of sexual assault.

Thursday, Vegas announced it had signed goaltender Carter Hart to a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO), one day after the NHL permitted teams to sign Hart and four other players who were found not guilty in July after a lengthy trial in Canada and were permitted to resume their hockey careers in the NHL.

Hart, 27, last played in an NHL game on Jan. 20, 2024 while a member of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod were all charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident in a London, Ontario hotel room back in 2018. Upon the judge ruling they were not guilty, the NHL reinstated their eligibility as of Oct. 15.

Hart, the first of the five to be signed by an NHL team, cannot play a game until Dec. 1. He can begin practicing right away and is eligible to play games in the American Hockey League beginning Nov. 15.

Meeting with the media at City National Arena following the team’s morning skate in advance of Thursday’s game against Boston at T-Mobile Arena, Hart spoke for just over five minutes.

“It’s been a long road to get back to this point, to get back to the game of hockey, the game that I love,” he said. “I’ve been out of the game for a year and a half now. I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot, and I’m just excited to move forward.

“I’ve heard nothing but great things about the city, the community and the fanbase. I got to meet a lot of people here today. I’m so excited to get the chance to play in front of them and for them, and just get to show the community my true character and who I really am and what I’m really about.”

His new teammates and his coach were welcoming in their remarks.

“Excited,” Golden Knights captain Mark Stone said of Hart’s arrival. “Good goalie. Happy to welcome him to the Golden Knights and looking forward to having him with us. We’ll look to incorporate him into our culture here.”

Jack Eichel, the team’s leading scorer said: “We have a great group here and we’re looking forward to having him. I think he’s looking forward to being a hockey player again.

“We all know how well the guys upstairs work. They know what they’re doing.”

Interestingly, neither team president George McPhee or general manager Kelly McCrimmon spoke about Hart. The team issued a one-paragraph statement which read: “Following the reinstatement decision agreed on by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, goaltender Carter Hart will be joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization. The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision. We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward.”

Coach Bruce Cassidy said he doesn’t expect any issues with Hart within the walls of the team’s locker room.

“The culture of this team is outstanding,” Cassidy said. “We expect Carter, like anyone else in that room, to uphold that standard.”

Cassidy said Hart will practice with the Golden Knights prior to being assigned to the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL. He will work with Golden Knights goaltending coach Sean Burke.

“He hasn’t played in a while,” Cassidy said. “He needs the work.”

In a six-year NHL career that has spanned 227 games, all with the Flyers where he was a second-round selection in the 2016 NHL Draft, Hart has a 96-93-29 record, a 2.94 goals-against average, a.906 save percentage and six shutouts.

Hart said: “I feel great. I’ve been working with my goalie coach back home (in Edmonton) and I’ve been doing everything I can to stay ready for the opportunity whenever it came.”

Legally, the Knights had every right to make this move. From a hockey perspective, if Hart can find his game again, he brings experience and depth to a position that can use some. The question is whether the team is prepared to face the public criticism it is sure to receive, both from within its own fan base along with outside of it from women’s rights groups and others who found Hart’s conduct deplorable. And even though he was eventually found not guilty in Canada’s legal system, the court of public opinion may not be so forgiving.

“Everyone’s been very welcoming,” Hart said of his new teammates and coaches. “I’m excited to get to know everyone and get to work. I heard a lot of great things about (Las Vegas) from players who’ve played here and who’ve played here in the past. I’ve heard about the culture they’ve established and it’s very intriguing to me.

“It’s been a long road. I’m humbled to be here, standing here as a member of the Golden Knights. I’ve grown a lot. I’ve learned a lot. I’m looking forward to a fresh start.”