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

General Managers oversee and coaches provide guidance, both playing pivotal roles. However, ultimately it’s the players who play the game and determine victory or loss. Mark Stone, the Vegas Golden Knights’ captain, embodies leadership, skill, passion, and determination. At 32, he continues to be a top-tier player, but Stone is so much more than just his performance during games.

Stone determines the direction, the demeanor, and the mentality. If Jack Eichel is the primary sail, Stone is the supporting boom. If Alex Pietrangelo forms the framework, Stone is the vital transmission. While Vegas can find speed and strength all over the roster, it’s Stone who understands when to accelerate, decelerate, or reposition on the field. He stands as the captain, the emotional barometer, and an outstanding winger.

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

In the spring of 2022, Vegas failed to make it to the post-season, leading hockey fans and media worldwide to label Stone and his teammates as past their prime.

Stone boldly declared before the upcoming season that he had no regard for others’ thoughts and opinions. He had unshakeable 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 roared to his teammates, “We’re the best damn hockey team in the world!”

The Game 7 defeat to the Dallas Stars and subsequent first-round exit in last spring was a letdown, but it also came with the upside of a long off-season. This was a welcome respite for a team that, apart from the Tampa Bay Lightning, has seen more playoff action in the past seven seasons. The captain, perhaps more than any other player, appreciated the rest and recovery period.

Gary Lawless: Prior to your Stanley Cup win, the training camp took place after a year of missing the playoffs. There was considerable chatter about the Golden Knights being past their prime. I had a chance to interview you then, and you were quite candid about your opinions on these speculations and your faith in your team. Last year, you were defeated in the first round, in Game 7, by a strong Dallas team. Considering the events of last year, do you believe your team will be more motivated this year?

Mark Stone: Indeed, the situations in the last two years were quite different. I believe we had the potential for a long run last year. As for the year before, missing the playoffs, as paradoxical as it may sound, was a disguised blessing. It allowed us to regroup and recover from all the exertion. It was beneficial to have everything organized. But this year, I believe we’re continuing to build on a significant track record we’ve established over the last few years. I still believe we’ve constructed a strong foundation to welcome new players. Unfortunately, roster turnover is an inevitable part of the game. It’s impossible to retain everyone and meet everyone’s salary demands. It’s tough seeing friends and teammates leave. However, we’re bringing in new, eager players who are looking forward to joining our team here in Vegas. My reactions used to be more emotional when I was younger. But as I’ve aged, I’ve realized that people are eager to see us fail, hence the target on our backs. We haven’t had many failures in our history. There are those who would like to see the Golden Knights fall. However, I believe our robust foundation won’t let that happen. Therefore, I’m feeling optimistic. The team is eager to return. We definitely have a point to prove. Many in our industry doubt our ability to regain our former strength, but only time will tell. We still believe we’re among the teams with a real shot at the Stanley Cup as we head into training camp.

GL: Given your history of back surgeries and the spleen injury last year, I believe this team can’t succeed without you. This question will likely follow you for a long time, perhaps indefinitely. You are the vital player in this team. What are your thoughts on this?

MS: I’m in a good place right now. Last year also saw me in high spirits, and I was enjoying one of the best statistical seasons of my career before a sudden accident occurred. Despite a long, unexpected summer break, I’m feeling re-energized and ready to return to the game. Some might doubt me when I say I aim to play 82 games every year. Regrettably, I’ve had my share of serious injuries to contend with, but I believe these obstacles only strengthen the resilience of our team, given what we’ve endured over the years. I’m genuinely looking forward to reuniting with the team, resuming practice, and rebuilding from scratch – day one, but with the advantage of an existing strong foundation.

GL: Your training camp roster includes centermen like Jack Eichel, William Karlsson, Tomas Hertl, and Nicolas Roy, and a defense line featuring Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin, Shea Theodore, Brayden McNabb among others. Management has brought in Ilya Samsonov to team up with Adin Hill, forming an excellent duo. The popular saying is always that a team is built from the middle, starting from the goaltender. You know your goaltender, your defense, and then your centermen. Your team is as strong as any other in the NHL.

MS: What are the prerequisites for victory? A solid defense, excellent centermen, and top-notch goaltending. It baffles me why some are dismissing our chances when we have four leading centers in their respective positions, and a defense that runs six to eight deep. We have a goalkeeper with a proven track record of Stanley Cup wins as the main goalie. Plus, we have another goalie who has demonstrated the capacity of a starting goalie for most of his career. I believe he’ll be thrilled to play with the defense we’ve got. Our wingers complement the team well, and I don’t foresee that being a significant problem. Having four extraordinary centers offers flexibility as they can all switch to the wing if needed. We’ve also brought in some promising young players looking to make their mark in the league, including Victor Olofsson who is aiming for a comeback. I firmly believe that we’re exceptionally strong in the areas that count.

GL: How’s your summer been? 

MS: To be honest, I’ve had a rather low-key couple of months. I attended some weddings and took some downtime. It’s been enjoyable watching my daughter grow into a little person over the past year. Her personality is beginning to shine through, which has been a lot of fun to witness. I’ve cherished these moments, especially knowing that once training camp starts, I won’t have as much time. The highlight of the past few months was going home during the Olympics last week to see my dad, brother and his family. That was truly wonderful. I’m now starting to feel excited about getting back. You always know when the time is right, and it certainly feels like that time is now.

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

MS: Right, it’s one of those things I wouldn’t ever turn down. I have a goal to be part of that team. I genuinely want to be a member. My ambition is to have two standout years in 2025 and 2026, so I can play for Canada. This could fulfill a dream for me, playing alongside the world’s best players. I would completely embrace and love this opportunity. It could be one of the most significant achievements of my career. However, if it doesn’t materialize, I will shift my focus to the Vegas Golden Knights. I can’t deny my immense interest and determination to make it to that team.

GL: Reflecting on last year’s playoffs, it seemed as if both you and Hertl required a bit more time to fully integrate back into the lineup. Dallas proved to be a worthy adversary. However, it wasn’t just you and Hertl; there were numerous players fresh off injury recovery. Hypothetically, how do you think events would have unfolded if you had defeated Dallas?

MS: It’s hard to say, but I firmly believe in our team’s ability to succeed in every series we enter. I’m convinced that it’s challenging for any team to win against us in four out of seven games. This belief gives me confidence in our potential to win the Stanley Cup each season. Dallas found it hard to beat us, having to go to seven games. Unfortunately, due to an unlucky bounce off Marty’s skate, we did not progress further. But that’s how hockey goes sometimes. Maybe we were luckier the previous year. However, I always enter a series with confidence, knowing that it’s a considerable challenge for a team to win four out of seven games against us. I have immense belief in our team.

GL: What do you enjoy about training camp?

MS: That’s a relevant question. While many people talk about the challenges of training camps, I actually find joy in the eagerness of young players attending their first camp. I suppose the term ‘inspiring’ would be fitting. I vividly recall being just as excited as these youngsters, thrilled to be on the ice at the NHL level. We try to make the exhibition games as similar to regular season games as we can, to give these kids a genuine experience. Most of them will return to junior hockey, but they’re eager to learn and grow. Our goal is to make them feel at ease. Even though I’m now 32 and have been through many training camps, I still feel the excitement I felt at 23 during my first NHL training camp. I look forward to meeting the staff and players. It’s a hectic but productive environment where we can set the tone for the upcoming season. This year, new players will join our team during training camp. It’s important they understand our standards and the way we operate.

GL: You’ve had some experience playing with (Pavel) Dorofeyev and it seems he could be on the verge of achieving great things. Are you looking forward to his progress?

MS: He is indeed improving consistently, day by day and year by year. He appears as someone who is continuously elevating his game. I believe he possesses a unique talent that many don’t have. Few players can handle the puck as he does or take it to the net with his skill. As he becomes more acquainted with the league, he will discover new scoring opportunities. He has a knack for enhancing the game of his linemates, a quality not everyone possesses. Some players make it difficult for their linemates to build off their play, but he is not one of them. He wins pucks for his team when he’s on the ice. His ability to effectively work along the boards is a subtle but crucial part of his game. He is undoubtedly a key player for us.