Glass, 18, a center from Portland of the Western Hockey League, will be remembered forever as the first pick in franchise history. If all goes well, he'll be one of the attractions on The Strip, entertaining the crowd at T-Mobile Arena.
"I think there's a lot of pressure to it, but then again, I know what I can do on the ice," Glass said. "They believe in me. I'm just going to prove them right."
The Golden Knights were thrilled. Not only did they get Glass, they took Nick Suzuki, 17, a center from Owen Sound of the Ontario Hockey League, at No. 13 and Erik Brannstrom, 17, a defenseman from HV 71 in the Sweden Hockey League, at No. 15. They acquired the No. 13 pick from the Winnipeg Jets and the No. 15 pick from the New York Islanders during the NHL Expansion Draft on Wednesday.
Glass was in their top five. General manager George McPhee said they felt there was a drop-off after him, and they worked out a trade to move up to get him, if necessary, that would have involved a second-round pick. But they didn't have to make the trade because the Vancouver Canucks took center Elias Pettersson of Timra of Sweden's second division at No. 5, and so they still have three second-round picks. Rounds 2-7 are here Saturday (10 a.m. ET; NHLN, SN).
"We're really happy with that," McPhee said.
Suzuki was in their top 10. McPhee said Brannstrom would have gone later in the draft had the Golden Knights not taken him, "but you take the guys you want."
The Golden Knights wanted skill, and all three players have it.