Foley sounds off on Golden Knights roster, evolving pregame festivities

Golden Knights’ owner Bill Foley spends much of his summers on the fairways of the golf course at Rock Creek Cattle Company in Deer Lodge, Mont.

Foley owns the ranch, which is built along a creek in central Montana. During summer afternoons, the temperatures barely crack 80 degrees, and at night the small mountain town dips to an average of 50 chilly degrees. It’s a nice change for Foley from the Las Vegas summer.

Foley took some time between rounds to chat with the Sun about how his offseason is going, what he thinks of the Golden Knights’ roster moves, next year’s pregame ceremonies and more.

How has the offseason been, and what are your responsibilities during the summer?

I spend a lot of the offseason up here in Montana, but I went down to Las Vegas last week for four days.

I kind of follow (general manager George Mcphee’s) lead during the offseason. I was down there for the NHL Awards ceremony, and then we had some meetings. At the end of June, it was all about preparing for the unrestricted free agents. I had some discussions with George and (assistant GM Kelly Mccrimmon) but once it was clear what we were doing in free agency I left on July 1.

Are you enjoying the brief time off before next hockey season starts?

Oh yes. I just finished up a round of golf and came back and decided to get a little shut eye. I kind of had to lay off the golf for about five weeks (because of an injury), but I got back out there for the first time today and didn’t have any pain. I love this

STEVE MARCUS Golden Knights team owner Bill Foley waves during the team’s Fan Fest in January at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas. After watching his expansion team nearly win the Stanley Cup, Foley says he is excited for the team’s second year to begin.