Mark Stone left an unforgettable mark on the NHL and the Stanley Cup when he led his team to victory and hoisted the coveted trophy in late spring of 2023. He remains the most significant figure in the franchise both then and now.

General Managers and coaches undoubtedly play pivotal roles in any sports team. However, ultimately, it’s the players who take to the field and determine the outcome of the game. Take the Vegas Golden Knights’ captain, Mark Stone, for example. At 32, he is not just an elite player, but also embodies leadership, talent, passion, and determination. The scope of Stone’s influence extends far beyond his actions during the game.

Stone establishes the direction, disposition, and mentality. He’s the boom to Jack Eichel’s mainsail, the transmission to Alex Pietrangelo’s chassis. Vegas may find speed and power in their lineup, but Stone is the one who understands when to accelerate, decelerate, or switch up positions. He is the team captain, the emotional barometer, and an exceptional winger.

Despite missing a significant amount of hockey in recent seasons due to back surgeries and a lacerated spleen, Stone managed to earn a Stanley Cup and 121 points over 136 regular season games.

In the spring of 2022, Vegas failed to make the post-season and Stone and his teammates were labeled as past their prime by both fans and media across the hockey world.

Before the upcoming season, Stone firmly declared that he didn’t have time for other people’s words and opinions. He had faith in his team and was eager to demonstrate their strength game by game. After hoisting the Stanley Cup in front of the world and bringing it into his team’s locker room, he exclaimed to his teammates, “We’re the best damn hockey team in the world!”

The Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Stars and consequent first-round exit last spring was a letdown, but it also gave the team the benefit of an extended off-season. This was a welcome reprieve for a franchise that, apart from the Tampa Bay Lightning, has played more playoff hockey in the past seven seasons. The rest and recovery were possibly most beneficial for the team captain.

Gary Lawless: Prior to your Stanley Cup victory, you missed the playoffs the previous year, and there were rumors about the Golden Knights being past their prime. I recall interviewing you during that time, and you were quite straightforward about your feelings regarding the public’s opinion and your own perception of your team. Last year, you suffered a first-round defeat in Game 7 against a formidable Dallas team. How do you feel now? Do you think your team will be more motivated this year after last year’s events?

Mark Stone: Absolutely, the last two years were different situations. I believe we could have had a long run last year. The previous year, missing the playoffs was a hidden blessing. The break allowed everyone to recover from all the physical demands. It was beneficial for us to reorganize. This year, I think we’re continuing to build on an impressive track record we’ve established over the past few years. I’m confident we’ve laid a solid foundation for welcoming new players. It’s a reality of the industry that rosters change and we can’t retain and pay everyone. It’s tough to see friends and teammates leave, but we’re bringing in eager new players excited to join our Vegas team. I admit I was more emotional when I was younger. Now, I understand that people are eager to see us fail because of our successful history. They want to see the Golden Knights fall, but our strong foundation prevents that. I’m feeling positive, and I think the team is eager to return. We certainly have a point to prove. Many in our industry doubt we can regain our form, but only time will tell. We maintain our belief that we’re one of the teams entering training camp with a real shot at the Stanley Cup.

GL: Given your history of back surgeries and last year’s spleen injury, it’s likely this question will persist for some time, possibly indefinitely. I believe this team’s victory hinges on your participation. As the most crucial player here, what are your thoughts on this?

MS: I’m in good spirits. Even last year, I was in high spirits and was having one of the best statistical years of my career until an unexpected accident occurred. A long, unfortunate summer has left me feeling refreshed and eager to get back in the game. Some may doubt my intention, but I honestly aim to play all 82 games each season. Regrettably, I’ve encountered several severe injuries that have been challenging. However, this only contributes to the adversity our team has faced over the years. I am eagerly looking forward to reuniting with the team, resuming practice, and rebuilding from the ground up. We’ll begin on day one, enhancing our already solid foundation.

GL: You enter training camp with Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Nicolas Roy as your centers, and a defense line that includes Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb among others. Management secured Ilya Samsonov to partner with Adin Hill which forms a solid duo. The common saying is that you build your team from the middle, starting with the goalie. With your goalie, defense, and centers, your team is on par with the best in the NHL.

MS: To win, one requires a strong defense, skilled centermen, and proficient goaltending. I am puzzled as to why we are being underestimated. We have four of the best centers in their roles, a defense team six to eight players deep. Our goaltender has proven his worth by winning the Stanley Cup as a starting goalie. Additionally, we have an alternate goalie who has consistently demonstrated starting goalie caliber for most of his career. He should be eager to play with the defense we have. Our wingers are competent and complimentary, so I don’t see this as a significant issue. Our four superb centers provide flexibility as they can also play as wingers when necessary. We have also brought on some promising young players aiming to make their mark in the league. We’ve added Victor Olofsson, who is seeking a resurgence in the league. I firmly believe that we are well-fortified in the necessary positions.

GL: How’s your summer been? 

MS: To be honest, things have been quite low key recently. I’ve attended a few weddings and spent some time relaxing. The last few months have been enjoyable, particularly watching my daughter grow and develop her personality. It’s been a fun experience, to say the least. I cherished these moments because once training camp starts, I won’t have as much time. The past few months have been truly enjoyable. I also had the chance to visit my family during the Olympics last week, which was wonderful. I’m looking forward to getting back in the groove. It just feels like the right time.

GL: Would you be interested in representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-off?

MS: Right? I’d never reject such an opportunity. It’s my aim to be part of that team, and I’d love to play for Canada in 2025 and 2026 after having two successful personal years. This could be a dream come true for me, playing alongside the world’s best players. I’d absolutely relish and embrace this opportunity. It could be one of the greatest achievements in my career. However, if it doesn’t materialize, I’ll channel my energies into the Vegas Golden Knights. I would be dishonest if I said I wasn’t highly interested and motivated to be part of that team.

GL: Reflecting on last year’s playoffs, it seemed that both you and Hertl required a little more time in the lineup. Dallas was a formidable opponent. However, it wasn’t just you and Hertl coming off injuries, there were others as well. Could you speculate on the potential outcome had you defeated Dallas?

MS: It’s difficult to pinpoint. There’s always the ‘should have, could have, would have’ but I have faith in every series we participate in. I truly think it’s very challenging to defeat us in four out of seven games. That’s a belief I’ll always uphold. It makes me think we stand a chance to clinch the Stanley Cup each season, correct? So, it was a struggle for Dallas to conquer us four out of seven. They were forced to go all seven. It was regrettable. It all hinged on a lucky bounce, ricocheting off Marty’s skate just right in the corner, or else we may have advanced. But that’s the nature of hockey. Perhaps we had those lucky breaks the prior year. But as I mentioned, I’ll always feel self-assured entering a series knowing that a team must defeat us four out of seven, because I’m convinced it’s a formidable challenge. It’s simply the faith I have in our team.

GL, what aspects of training camp do you enjoy?

MS: You’re right to ask that question, as people often talk about the difficulty of training camps. However, I find the excitement of the newer, younger players at their first training camp quite inspiring. I remember being in their shoes, thrilled to be playing at the NHL level. We try to make the exhibition games feel as much like regular season games as possible for these kids, many of who will return to junior hockey but want the experience. We aim to make them feel at ease. Even now, at 32, walking into the first day of training camp, I feel like an excited 23-year-old at my first NHL training camp. Seeing the staff and players is always a thrill. It may be chaotic, but it’s an opportunity to set the tone for the season and define our team’s identity. New players will be joining us at training camp this year and they need to understand our approach and standards.

GL: You’ve had some experience playing alongside (Pavel) Dorofeyev, who seems to be on the brink of major success. Does this excite you?

MS: Indeed, his improvement has been gradual but consistent, progressing daily and yearly. His talent is exceptional, not many possess his ability to shoot the puck or take it to the net. As he gains more knowledge about the league, he will identify opportunities to score. His compatibility with his linemates is commendable, quite unlike other players who make it challenging for their teammates. When he’s playing, he secures the puck for us. His skill at maneuvering along the walls, although underappreciated, is exceptional. He is an essential player for our team.