Vegas Golden Knights fans turned out in huge numbers for a Stanley Cup victory parade down the Las Vegas strip Saturday.
While the Knights really got the proverbial team effort as they knocked off the Florida Panthers for their first Stanley Cup trophy, center William Karlsson took center stage during the celebration with some memorable moments and a beverage-fueled victory speech that was epic, rambling, and very NSFW.
Karlsson, holding a beverage, appeared to slip as he took the stage at T-Mobile Arena. He then led the crowd in a raucous “Go Knights, Go!” cheer. He also removed his shirt and tossed it in the crowd during a teammate’s speech.
When Karlsson got his chance to address the crowd, it went about like you’d expect. Referring to teammate Jonathan Marchessault, the Stanley Cup Playoffs MVP, Karlsson said, “This guy, this ******* guy, he was here day one. And I know you (fans) have been here since day ******* one.”
“We’ve been up and down, on this journey to the Cup … we’ve been waiting six long years for this guy to be MVP.”
William Karlsson with hands down the greatest drunk speech of all-time.
Vegas parades are the greatest gift to this Earth.#VegasBorn @8NewsNow pic.twitter.com/1sbGiK8YTH
— Logan Reever (@loganreever) June 18, 2023
Karlsson wrapped the speech by taking a sip from the Stanley Cup, then singing ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.”
Most fans loved Karlsson’s rambling talk, although a few thought he had taken it way too far and should have, to paraphrase an old beer advertising campaign, “Known when to say when.”
Agree! Best Drunk Speech ever!!!
— justwinwendy (@justwinwendy88) June 18, 2023
William Karlsson just gave one of the greatest speeches ever, absolute all-timer#VegasBorn pic.twitter.com/DeWcncvNJr
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) June 18, 2023
He was totally hilarious .
— Maxine Clodt (@MClodt) June 18, 2023
It was brilliant! Best speech of the knight. Can’t believe the PR chick wanted to shut him down.
— Chelsea Chavez (@Chelsea_Chavez) June 18, 2023
Embarrassing 🙈
— JSJ (@Jennife01538018) June 18, 2023
Good for him. He’s having a good time. He will be feign
If the NHL has a problem with it, they can stop accepting ad rev $ from Molson, New Amsterdam Vodka, Jäegermeister, etc.
— @artie_rx (@artie_rx) June 18, 2023
This just passed Balboa’s speech at the end of Rocky IV for the greatest of all time.
— AG05 (@AG55532) June 18, 2023
Karlsson scored 11 points and added six assists in the playoffs.
