Spencer Knight dropped a strong message to Connor Bedard and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks after his sensational debut performance at United Center.

Spencer Knight didn’t even have time to get new pads and a helmet in Chicago Blackhawks colors before being called to man the crease at United Center. After delivering an outstanding performance in his debut for the NHL’s Original Six franchise, Knight sent a fiery message in the locker room—one that Connor Bedard and the rest of the team heard loud and clear.

Knight has been through some wild days recently. After being traded from the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, to one of the bottom-feeders in the NHL. Regardless, the young goaltender made it clear right away that his expectations won’t lower in Windy City.

Fans in Chi-Town have shown much excitement for Knight’s arrival, as the goaltending position has been a concern in an already liability-filled lineup. During his first start, the newest Blackhawks member put his abilities on full display, stopping 41 of 42 shots enroute to a commanding 5-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

After the game, Knight was given the victory belt for his sensational performance. The goaltender showed some confusion about what to do with it, as he hasn’t learned the Blackhawks’ locker room traditions just yet. But one thing he did learn in Florida was how to win, and he made sure to remind his new teammates in Chicago.

“We got a great group here. It doesn’t matter if we’re [expletive] first place or last, we’re gonna win hockey games,” Knight strongly stated in the locker room.

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Under siege

The differences between the Panthers and Blackhawks were made evident to Knight right away as puck dropped at United Center. Knight faced 18 shots in the opening period, stopping all but one.

To put that into perspective, Knight had faced that amount of shots during his last game in Florida, when he posted a 17-save win over the Nashville Predators. The goalie has now clearly seen the new reality he lives in, but far from shying away, he’s embracing it. The 23-year-old hopes to take over as a starting goalie in the NHL for the first time in his career.

“I said it, no matter how smoothly things are going, the first week or so is going to feel like chaos,” Knight admitted. “That’s just the way it is. But I think I’ve learned to embrace that. I’ve been through a lot of difficult challenges in my life. It’s another step in the journey.I think I’m looking to bring what I witnessed and was part of in Florida, bring it here.”

Right at home

Knight and Bedard’s Blackhawks clicked off right away. Fans in Chicago already love the young goalie and the goaltender has expressed his gratitude after his debut on home ice. “I’ve played here with the Panthers. It’s cool. It’s an away rink. But to play here, that’s pretty sick. It’s ten-times better,” Knight said.

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Interim head coach Anders Sorensen gave the nod of confidence to him right away, practically starting him right after he stepped off the plane.

“Lots of potential, right? You see his background, watching him come up here, lots of potential, a first-rounder for a reason,” Sorensen said about Knight, via NHL.com. “He has his career on track here, and we’re super excited for him and be a bona fide No. 1 here.”