2023-06-14 04:21:00
There’s a lot of excitement in the entire Vegas Golden Knights organization after their name was added to the Stanley Cup championships on Tuesday.
Specifically, for the six players from the Knights’ inaugural edition (that of 2017-2018) still present with the workforce, this triumph had an even more pronounced flavor of euphoria.
Moreover, it should come as no surprise that after Captain Mark Stone, it was Reilly Smith, Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson, Brayden McNabb, Shea Theodore and William Carrier who took their turn at ice rink with the cup held high.
Recipient of the Conn-Smythe Trophy, Marchessault assured that he had not been made aware of the request from head coach Bruce Cassidy to this effect.
“I was a little surprised. (…) Honestly, it was really a beautiful feeling Mark giving it to Reilly, then to me, and so on with the guys who’ve been there six years.
“We didn’t really talk. But with 4-5 minutes left, given the score, it’s been nice to be able to take the time to realize what this group of guys mean to the organization and the city,” Stone said.
“We wanted to reward them. (…) They have a special value in the eyes of the supporters, it shows. »
The 2018 final still in the lead
“We experienced the other side of the coin, losing the cup in our arena,” recalled Carrier, before admitting that the last 24 hours “have been quite stressful.”
“We’re going to celebrate with the family tonight, and eventually bring the cup to Montreal,” added the 28-year-old Montrealer, whose 333 of 374 NHL games have been played with Vegas, in addition to 74 playoff games.
“It was a lot of work from the start. We had a great team this year, and we stuck together from the first game, ”he said.
Cassidy admitted that idea crossed his mind as recently as Tuesday afternoon.
“I was walking my dog and this thought happened to me, he confided with a smile. I figured these guys deserved it. Same thing for the starting five at the face-off. Sorry to William Carrier by the way; we could only have a left winger on the game! »
“I thought it would be cool for them. They are the ‘Original Six’ and they laid the foundation for this team. Good for these guys! »
A moment that Roy has been waiting for
Besides Marchessault and Carrier, Nicolas Roy is the other Quebecer who contributed to this first triumph by a professional men’s team in Las Vegas.
« The feeling when you have the cut at arm’s length, it’s beyond all my expectations. You’ve been waiting for this moment all your career… It was the most beautiful seconds of my life
“It’s even more special to experience this at home with my family. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for them and their support at the start of my career. These are truly moments that I will remember for the rest of my life, ”assured the 26-year-old center player, who joined the Knights organization during the shortened 2019-2020 season.
“The plan is to take the cup to Amos eventually to celebrate. There are a lot of people who supported me there, and hockey fanatics. We should have a good time, that’s for sure! »
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