500 first responders will be honored by Golden Knights on the 7th anniversary of October 1, 2017

LAS VEGAS – Five hundred first responders and their families packed into City National Arena – the Golden Knights' team facility – for the team's morning skate before Tuesday's preseason game in Denver.

They were then honored at a private event honoring their heroics seven years ago at the facility's restaurant, MacKenzie River.

First responders in attendance included the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada Highway Patrol, Henderson Police Department, and local and regional fire departments.

October 1st will forever be remembered by the people of Southern Nevada after the largest mass shooting in U.S. history in 2017.

On a short walk down Las Vegas Boulevard that evening, the Golden Knights had just finished a preseason game while many of the players were enjoying dinner at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

When the news broke, the entire city froze.

For the thousands of survivors and victims' families, the numbness remains. For many, the Golden Knights have never stopped being a positive outlet.

Brayden McNabb and Shea Theodore, two of the three remaining players from the inaugural team in 2017, were among the many players on hand to greet their guests.

“It means a lot to me, especially for me and the guys that were here,” McNabb said. “It was a tragic day. And it’s cool to have everyone out here.”

“I didn't expect so many people to come to training. And it's great to have first responders, or whoever is here. “

Although the Golden Knights had introduced themselves as the first major professional franchise in Southern Nevada just weeks earlier, immediate relief efforts quickly made them a part of the community.

Their miraculous run to the Stanley Cup Final in their first season didn't necessarily erase the horrific memory of 60 lives, but it was the players' dedication and commitment to the community that helped ease the pain.

“I think just by doing what we did, we seemed like a relief,” Theodore said. “To bring everyone together, to come together to support a cause. And especially to raise the banner with the names and the (original) 58 (victims), that is definitely a special moment in our hearts. And I just think the community is coming on board and supporting. “The team and us meant a lot to each other.”