Carter Hart, a former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender, played six seasons with the team from 2018 to 2024, posting a 96-93-29 record with a .906 save percentage. His tenure ended abruptly in January 2024 when he took an indefinite leave amid sexual assault charges related to an alleged 2018 incident involving Canada’s under-20 World Junior team.
Hart was one of five players charged; all were acquitted in a trial earlier in 2025, leading to his NHL reinstatement in December 2025. The Flyers did not extend him a qualifying offer that offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent. In September 2025, Flyers’ General Manager Danny Brière confirmed Hart sought a “fresh start” elsewhere and would not return to Philadelphia.
Signing with Vegas and Recent Performance
Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights after his acquittal and clearance. He made his NHL return on December 3, 2025, against the Chicago Blackhawks, marking his first game since January 2024. Since then, he’s gone 2-0-1 with a .889 save percentage in three starts, including a surprise second consecutive outing on December 9 against the New York Islanders (a 5-4 shootout loss).
Vegas has been rotating him with backup Akira Schmid.Tonight (December 11, 2025), the Golden Knights face the Flyers at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in what would have been Hart’s emotional return to Philadelphia—his first time on the ice there since his leave. However, Vegas coach Bruce Cassidy announced this morning that Hart will not start, opting instead for Schmid, who earned a shutout in his last outing on December 6 against the New Jersey Devils. Cassidy framed it as a rotation decision: Hart and Schmid were always slated to split the final two games of Vegas’s five-game road trip (concluding Saturday in Columbus), and they wanted to get Schmid back in net soon after his strong performance. Hart is expected to start Saturday against the Blue Jackets.
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Flyers Lineup Updates:
Dan Vladar starts for Philly. No other lineup changed to report, Cam York still day to day.
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