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

They were then honored at a private event celebrating their heroics seven years earlier 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 state fire departments.

October 1st will forever be etched in the hearts of Southern Nevadans after 2017 saw the largest mass shooting in American history.

That same evening, just down Las Vegas Boulevard, the Golden Knights had just completed a preseason game, while many players were enjoying dinner at the Cosmopolitan Hotel.

When the news broke, the entire city went numb.

For the thousands of survivors and families of victims, the numbness continues. For many, the Golden Knights have always been a positive outlet.

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

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

“I didn’t expect so many people to come to the practice. And it’s great to have first responders, or whoever is there. I’m sure it’s close to them. Whatever we can do to to help, since it happened, we have done.”

Although the Golden Knights had introduced themselves as the first major professional franchise in Southern Nevada only a few weeks earlier, they quickly became part of the community with immediate relief efforts.

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

“I think just because of our jobs, we seemed to be in relief,” Theodore said. “Bringing everyone together, coming to support one cause. And especially hanging up that banner with the names and the (original) 58 (victims), it is definitely a special moment in our hearts. And I just think the community joined in supporting the team, and us doing the same meant a lot.”