Odd Man Out: How Reinhardt’s Attitude Contributes to His Success

Playing hockey at the highest level isn’t easy. Day in and day out, each player has their own personal struggles depending on their strengths and the specific roles they fill on their teams. Cole Reinhardt, a forward for the Vegas Golden Knights, has a unique challenge. 

Because the Golden Knights had minimal roster turnover this summer, they entered the season with their forward group already set in stone. So, as the 13th forward, unless there’s an injury, Reinhardt isn’t guaranteed playing time. 

Reinhardt has played four games for the Golden Knights this season. Three of those games came earlier this month in place of an injured Brett Howden. Now, with Colton Sissons being day-to-day, he’s getting another look. 

Just two of Reinhardt’s four games played have been consecutive, and it’s hard to come in and out of the lineup. There’s the physical aspect, but it’s also hard for players emotionally. They’re competitors, and they want to play.

If that frustrates Reinhardt, he’s not letting it show.

Reinhardt is constantly one of the hardest-working players in practice. He’s one of the first players on the ice, and almost always one of the last to get off. This hasn’t gone unnoticed. Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy praised Reinhardt’s attitude when he spoke to the media after practice on Thursday. 

“He waited his turn a little bit there,” said Cassidy. “When a guy goes out of the lineup, you’re always thinking, ‘How’s he going to respond going back in?’ And before he came out, he’d scored a goal. Sometimes, a player says ‘What the hell are you doing? I’m on a streak!’ But he responded well, worked hard, and got his opportunity the other night.”

After two games off, Reinhardt drew back into the lineup on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. He played very well, recording four hits and the primary assist on Brett Howden’s game-tying goal. The whole line– Reinhardt, Howden, and Keegan Kolesar– played hard and provided a spark.

“He played more of his game,” said Cassidy on Thursday. “He used his speed, blew right by their [defense], took it to the net. Those are goals he’s going to score.

“[Reinhardt] was on top of people on the forecheck,” continued Cassidy. “He used his pace and didn’t try to do too much. The first couple of games, there were some unforced errors that came back at us. This game, he made the plays that were in front of him, and that’s how they’re going to be effective.

“I think they were probably our best, most effective line in terms of how each line plays to their identity. Hopefully, they can build off of that,” Cassidy finished.