USA Today's Kevin Allen caught up with Vegas Knights GM George McPhee, who's thoroughly enjoying himself as he builds an NHL franchise in the Nevada desert:

General manager George McPhee knew it would be the biggest challenge of his career when he took over as architect of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights organization.

What he didn't know was how much he would enjoy it.

“It’s been the most fun I’ve ever had in hockey,” said McPhee, a former Hobey Baker Award winner, NHL player and long-time general manager of the Washington Capitals.

The NHL has grown from six to 31 teams over the past 50 years, and yet it seems as if the Las Vegas-based team is the most important expansion club in league history.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the interest in our franchise,” McPhee said. “Vegas is a worldwide brand and it is the tourism capital of the world. Forty-two million people come here every year. Now it’s becoming a destination for pro sports teams, and we have the unique opportunity to be the very first.”

Continued