Deryk Engelland Giving Golden Knights Vegas Pointers

A decade ago, when defenseman Deryk Engelland was playing for Las Vegas of the ECHL, he never imagined the NHL would one day come to this city.

“I wouldn’t even have thought of someone trying to bring a team here then,” Engelland said.

But Engelland, 35, enjoyed his two years in the desert so much, he bought a home in the area, and it has been his offseason home since. Now after leaving the Calgary Flames and signing a free-agent contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, the veteran has become the go-to guy for his new teammates.