The Real Reason Knights Players Avoided Touching the Western Conference Trophy Revealed

A recent example of the Knights insane commitment to detail comes after their triumphant 6-0 victory over Dallas, securing the Western Conference title and a place in the Stanley Cup Final against Florida, where they decided not to lay a hand on the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl.

This move was a departure from the team's behavior six seasons prior when, as an expansion team, they had no reservations about raising the silver trophy.

Revisiting the events of May 2018, the Knights clinched the Western championship with a 2-1 win in Game 5 at Winnipeg. Deryk Engelland, the team's defenseman, was the first to pose with the trophy before lifting it and moving towards his waiting teammates.

The decision to hold the trophy was a planned one, as the team had discussed the matter ahead of time. Marc-Andre Fleury, the team's goalie, was the one who made the final call.

Engelland, on the day, expressed that Fleury was "the backbone to our team," adding that their decision hinged mostly on Fleury's wishes. They chose to touch the trophy but subsequently lost in the Stanley Cup Final to Washington in five games.

However, the connection between their loss and the act of touching the Campbell Bowl is debatable.

There's a range of reactions to touching or not touching the trophy, and the significance of these actions is hard to fully grasp. What we can appreciate, however, is that the Knights have grown as a team since that time.

They're more experienced now, with several players boasting Stanley Cup rings - a testament to their understanding of the gravity of winning the tournament and their maturity with time.

Shane Hnidy, an ex-NHL player and the current TV analyst for the Golden Knights, notes the team's evolved perspective on trophy rituals.

He acknowledges the players' discretion in choosing to commemorate their finals berth or waiting to handle the ultimate prize. Regardless of their choice, their performance in the game is what truly determines their odds of victory.

The world of professional hockey teams with superstitions, ranging from specific game day dress codes and food habits to playoff beards and avoiding certain trophies.

And with these superstitions in mind, it is no surprise that the Knights have their eyes set on a more significant achievement - lifting the Stanley Cup.

As Read on LasVegasReviewJournal - Graney: Why the Golden Knights refused to touch Western Conference trophy