When a Vegas Golden Knights goalie had to file for bankruptcy

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner and his wife, Donya, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Nevada earlier this year, revealing debts of up to $50 million owed to dozens of creditors.

The bankruptcy filing sheds light on the couple's financial troubles, including missed payments on a $4 million business loan, and a collection of rare snakes that he purchased for $1.2 million in 2017.

The bankruptcy filing also reveals that Lehner and his father, Michael, are listed as principal members in a Nevada business license filing for Solarcode, a limited liability corporation doing business in multiple states, including Nevada and Arizona.

Solarcode agreed to a four-year repayment plan with Eclipse Service in January 2022, but missed its first five payments, leading to a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee.

Lehner, who signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2020, has spent the 2022-23 season recovering from hip surgery. His estimated assets are worth up to $10 million.

The bankruptcy filing serves as a reminder that even high-earning professional athletes can fall on hard times financially. His situation highlights the importance of managing finances responsibly and seeking professional financial advice when necessary.

It also underscores the need for individuals and businesses to be vigilant in managing debt and ensuring timely payments to creditors.

It remains to be seen how the bankruptcy filing will impact Lehner's future with the Golden Knights or his career as a professional hockey player. However, it serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of financial planning and responsible money management, regardless of one's income level.

Robin Lehner's career with the Vegas Golden Knights

Robin Lehner's career with the Vegas Golden Knights began in February 2020 when he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for goaltender Malcolm Subban, defenseman Slava Demin, and a second-round draft pick.

He quickly made an impact with the Knights, posting a 3-0-0 record in his first three starts and helping the team secure a playoff spot. In the playoffs, he split time with veteran goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, with the two forming a formidable tandem in the Knights' run to the Western Conference Finals.

In the 2020-21 season, Lehner took over as the Vegas Golden Knights' primary goaltender, starting 25 games and posting a 13-4-2 record. He also earned a spot on the NHL's COVID Protocol Related Absences list in February 2021, missing a handful of games.

His 2021-22 season was plagued by injury, as he missed time due to concussions and hip issues. He appeared in just 10 games, posting a 3-5-1 record with a 2.81 goals-against average and .900 save percentage.

Despite his troubles, Lehner's long-term contract with the Vegas Golden Knights shows the team's commitment to him as a key part of their future.

It remains to be seen how his recent bankruptcy filing will affect his standing with the team, but there is no doubt that when healthy, Lehner has proven to be a top-tier goaltender in the NHL.