Native Slovakian Viliam Kmec has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon announced the deal on September 23, 2024. The 22-year-old defenseman has officially made it to the big leagues, signing his first professional contract.
Viliam Kmec’s Background
Viliam Kmec, born in Kosice, Slovakia, made his way into the World Selects Invitational (Slovakia Selects U12) in the 2015-2016 season. This youth hockey world tournament is an invite-only hockey battle that selects the best players in the world. Kmec went on to play for the junior national team of Slovakia, later crossing the pond to the west to play in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. It is the most prestigious minor hockey tournament in the world. Following this, he played hockey for the HC Kosice in the minor leagues for a few years.
In 2021, Viliam Kmec returned to Canada to play for the amateur Prince George Cougars in the WHL (Western Hockey League) Canadian league. Kmec has played with the Cougars since 2021. He has also played in the WJC (World Junior Championships) in 2021-2022, 2022-2023, and 2023-2024. During the most recent WJC, Viliam Kmec scored four points in five games (4 A).
Kmec caught the eyes of Golden Knight scouts sometime ago but was officially invited to the 2024 Developmental Camp this past summer. During the 2024 Rookie Faceoff, Kmec assisted with the 3-0-0 record for the competition. He managed two assists and a goal in the three games.
Golden Knights Continue To Add Young Blood
Losing key goal-scoring players, original misfits (original Golden Knights players), and many from the blue line, the Las Vegas Golden Knights’ approach to revitalizing the roster has been adding a plethora of new, virgin professional players. This past NHL Draft the Golden Knights added players such as Trevor Connelly, Pavel Moysevich, Trent Swick, and Lucan Van Vliet. Trent Swick was also on the ice with Kmec during the 2024 Rookie Faceoff in Los Angeles, California. The presumed primary goal of the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the next few seasons is to add new players they can mold.
Since their inaugural season, the Knights have had many seasoned professional players join their ranks. Players who often have skills and enduring habits. The counter to this is players like Swick and Kmec. Viliam Kimec has extensive growth potential. He has proven to be a highly favored defenseman with many eyes on him since his younger years. One of the alluring qualities of many of the new players joining the VGK as well as Viliam Kmec is their eagerness to grow and refine their hockey sense.
What This Means
The official contract with defenseman Viliam Kmec could offer the Las Vegas Golden Knights a formidable force on the blue line. After an impressive youth hockey history and zeal to learn, refine, and grow, Kmec could be an immense determinate factor for the Golden Knights. During the next three years, many will be watching how this young player will “hold the line” for the Vegas team and how he fairs in the big leagues.
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