from Mark Spector of Sportsnet,

Remember what we used to think about placing a professional sports team in Las Vegas?

That players would spend more time in the casinos than the gym. That game-fixing was inevitable, and only single players would want to be there. Certainly, “Sin City” was no place for spouses and children.

Vegas was all about Mike Tyson’s tigers and $500 bottle service. And anyhow, with all the locals working shift work at the hotels and casinos, how would they possible draw a loyal following?

Well, allow Vegas Golden Knights veteran defenceman Nick Holden — father to four children and a home owner in Vegas — to bring us up to speed on the Vegas experience, from a National Hockey League player’s perspective.

“Lots of guys have started to talk about retiring here,” said Holden, who grew up in the comfortable Edmonton suburb of St. Albert. “Once you get away from the strip, family living is awesome. The city has got everything you need, but it still feels pretty small. From our house out in Summerlin to the strip, you’re there in 15, 20 minutes.”

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