The largest mass shooting in United States history hit close to home for Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker.
The California native grew up in Las Vegas, and he has a friend who was shot Sunday night while attending a country music concert on the city's Strip. His family is safe, though, and he's heartened by the response to the unimaginable events.
Related: Golden Knights offer 'prayers, heartfelt condolences' in wake of mass shooting
"It's a very small community there," he said Monday, per Dan Myers of Wild.com. "It seems like there's a lot of people and a lot of tourists, obviously, but it's a very small community. I know they'll rally behind everyone.
"The law enforcement did a wonderful job as far as I've been hearing. Everybody, all the responders, from what I've heard, have been phenomenal and just the support overall has been great."
Vegas, of course, is now home to the NHL's Golden Knights, and Zucker is confident the city won't be forever defined by this moment.
"I know Vegas will bounce back. I know they're a strong community with a lot of great supporters behind them."
At last report, 58 people were killed and over 500 injured in the tragedy.
The Wild will visit the Golden Knights on March 16, 2018.
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