LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Vegas Golden Knights are about two months from the first puck drop of the preseason but the team is hard at work forming their team both on and off the ice.
This week, the team is holding auditions for the Golden Aces - a position that involves dancing, chanting and cheering during home games and representing the team at community events.
"They have to be a performer, they have to be energetic, they have to be engaging. They're the ones that are going out and mixing with the crowd. They're representing the Golden Knights when the Golden Knights aren't available." Kristin Depew, the Golden Aces coach and a former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
More than 120 women showed up Tuesday to audition for the team, which last year had 21 members. Veteran Golden Aces will have an opportunity to earn their spots back at auditions Wednesday. Depew said she looks for energy, confidence, poise and the ability to show up and give what they have.
MOVE VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS COVERAGE
"We want individuals, we want people from all walks, we want to represent what Vegas is." Kristin Depew
And just as Vegas is diverse, the reasons people showed to audition are too.
"My grandpa is going through a rough time right now," said Alleigh Taylor, a trained dancer. "This is a very hopeful thing. I told him about this audition and it's brought him a lot of joy. It's the happiest I've seen him in a while so it would mean a lot to me."
Taylor said the Golden Knights have brought her family together. Representing the team as a Golden Ace would mean a lot not just to her but to her family.
"The Golden Knights have been our source of hope, the release, the outlet for us to get through it," said Taylor.
Jabari Watson is the first man to audition for the Golden Aces.
"I'm not going to lie, I wasn't expecting this," Watson said, with a laugh. "I had heard rumors that maybe all the guys were in the first audition or something like that but it turns out I'm the only one."
Being the only man in the room wasn't enough to shake Watson's confidence though.
"Best thing to do is just be confident in everything you do so I'm just going to go in there and have a good time. Hopefully it works out, you know," Watson said.
The Golden Aces audition continues through Wednesday.
