5 Shocking Updates On The Henderson Silver Knights Roster And Arena For The 2025-2026 Season

The Henderson Silver Knights are no longer the same team fans watched last season. As of December 2025, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights is undergoing a massive transformation, featuring a completely new arena name, a revamped leadership group, and a roster packed with exciting prospects finally finding their stride. Fans looking for the latest and most critical updates for the 2025-2026 season need to look no further than the dramatic shift in performance and the new home ice environment. The current 2025-2026 season has already delivered significant changes, signaling a new era for the franchise based in Henderson, Nevada. From a new moniker for their home arena to the emergence of key players under Head Coach Ryan Craig, the Silver Knights are aiming to climb the Pacific Division standings and secure a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. General Manager Tim Speltz has clearly focused on development and stability, making these five updates the most crucial for any fan to know right now.

The New Home Ice: Farewell to the Dollar Loan Center

The most striking and recent change for the Henderson Silver Knights is the renaming of their state-of-the-art home arena.

• Old Name: The Dollar Loan Center
• New Name: Lee's Family Forum
• Date of Change: April 4, 2024
• Ownership: Foley Entertainment Group

This name change, occurring after only two years of operation under the previous sponsorship, officially transitioned the venue to the Lee's Family Forum on April 4, 2024. While the physical location in Henderson, NV, remains the same, the new name marks a fresh chapter for the multi-purpose arena that hosts all Silver Knights home games. This venue is not just a hockey rink; it’s a central hub for the Henderson community, though the recent 4-0 loss to the Bakersfield Condors on December 6, 2025, shows that even a new name can't guarantee a win every night.

The 2025-2026 Roster: A Prospect Pool Finally Delivering

The current Silver Knights roster is a blend of veteran AHL talent and high-ceiling prospects from the Vegas Golden Knights (VGK) organization. The 2025-2026 season has seen a noticeable uptick in performance compared to previous years, with the team getting off to a strong 9-7-1 start, a significant improvement over the 4-12-0 opening stretch of the previous season.

Key Players and Top Prospects to Watch

The roster announced by General Manager Tim Speltz for the Opening Night on October 10, 2025, featured several key names, but a few prospects are making the biggest noise in December 2025:

• Trevor Connelly (LW): At just 19 years old, Connelly is considered one of the top prospects in the entire VGK prospect pool and is expected to be a major offensive driver for the Silver Knights.
• Carl Lindbom (G): The 22-year-old Swedish goaltender has been stellar in limited action, posting a remarkable 1.33 Goals Against Average (GAA) and a .946 Save Percentage (SV%) through his first few games. His performance provides crucial stability in the net alongside goalies Cameron Whitehead and Jesper Vikman.
• Lukas Cormier (D): A highly-touted defenseman who continues to develop his two-way game in the AHL.
• Gage Quinney (C): Often a statistical leader for the team, Quinney provides veteran presence and scoring punch in the forward group.
• Calen Addison (D): Known for his offensive instincts from the blue line, Addison is a critical piece of the power play unit.

The focus remains on developing these young players to be ready for the NHL, making the Silver Knights' success a direct indicator of the Golden Knights' future depth.

Coaching Stability and Leadership Group

A major factor in the team's improved start is the stability in the coaching ranks. Ryan Craig is firmly entrenched as the Head Coach, beginning his third season in the 2025-2026 campaign after being hired on June 26, 2023. Craig, a former assistant coach for the Vegas Golden Knights, brings a deep understanding of the parent club’s system and development philosophy. The full coaching and management team for the 2025-2026 season includes:

• General Manager: Tim Speltz
• Head Coach: Ryan Craig
• Assistant Coach: Jamie Heward
• Assistant Coach: Brent Kisio
• Goaltending Coach: Fred Brathwaite

This consistent leadership, which announced its 2025-26 leadership group on October 21, 2025, is key to the Silver Knights' current success. The leadership group on the ice, appointed by Coach Craig, is responsible for maintaining the culture and guiding the young roster through the rigors of the AHL season.

Upcoming Events: The Fifth Annual Lucky Launch

The team continues to engage heavily with the local community, a trademark of the Vegas Golden Knights organization. A highly anticipated event on the calendar for December 2025 is the fifth annual Lucky Launch. Announced on December 9, 2025, the Lucky Launch is the Silver Knights' unique take on the traditional Teddy Bear Toss, where fans throw new stuffed animals onto the ice after the team scores its first goal. This event is a crucial part of the team's community outreach, with all donated toys benefiting local children's charities in the Henderson and greater Las Vegas area. Community events like this, combined with their training facility at the America First Center, solidify the team's presence in Southern Nevada.

The Silver Knights' Mandate: Developing the Next Golden Knights Stars

Ultimately, the Henderson Silver Knights' primary mission is to serve as the development pipeline for the Vegas Golden Knights. Every player on the roster, from veteran Jérémy Davies to young forward Kai Uchacz, is being evaluated for their potential to make the jump to the NHL. The success of the 2025-2026 season will not only be measured by their standings in the Pacific Division or their potential run in the Calder Cup Playoffs but also by the number of players who earn call-ups to the VGK. The current strong start under Ryan Craig suggests that the development model is working, providing a competitive environment where prospects can hone their skills against professional competition. The natural inclusion of players like Brandon Hickey and Christoffer Sedoff into the regular lineup demonstrates the depth being built within the organization. As the season progresses through December 2025 and into the new year, all eyes will be on the Lee's Family Forum to see which of these promising Silver Knights will be the next to wear the Golden Knights crest.