Winnipeg‑born Mark Stone — a power forward and former Brandon Wheat King — continues to anchor the Golden Knights as captain, bringing his trademark two‑way game and leadership to the biggest stage. Alongside him, Brandon’s Keegan Kolesar provides the physical edge and playoff‑style forecheck that have become hallmarks of Vegas hockey. Oakbank’s Brett Howden adds yet another Manitoba connection to the Vegas lineup — and he’s doing more than just contributing depth minutes. Howden currently leads all players with 11 playoff goals, giving the Golden Knights a timely scoring punch from a homegrown forward.

On the Carolina side, Winnipeg’s Seth Jarvis has emerged as one of the Hurricanes’ most dynamic young forwards, while Brandon’s Jordan Martinook continues to be a heartbeat player — a relentless, high‑energy presence who thrives when the games matter most.

Behind the bench and in the boardroom, Manitoba’s influence is just as strong. Vegas general manager Kelly McCrimmon — long‑time architect of the Brandon Wheat Kings — has helped shape the Golden Knights into one of the NHL’s most consistently competitive teams. With so many Manitobans driving both clubs, the Stanley Cup is guaranteed to make its way home to the province this summer.

Lots of Manitoba connections off the ice too. Vaughn Karpan (VGK’s Assistant General Manager), Bobby Lowes (VGK’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel), Mick McCrimmon (VGK’s Pro Scout), Gary Lawless is the VGK Insider, and Darren Millard (Former Q Country and CKX-TV Sports Anchor/Reporter serves as TV Host for the Vegas Golden Knights broadcasts working on pre game, intermission, and post game coverage for the team.

For a province of just over a million people, Manitoba’s hockey output remains staggering. Whether it’s Stone lifting the Cup again, Jarvis breaking through on the biggest stage, or Martinook, Howden and Kolesar grinding out momentum‑shifting shifts, Manitoba’s presence is woven into every storyline. When the celebrations begin, the Stanley Cup will be heading north — guaranteed — for a well‑earned visit to the province that helped shape so many of the players chasing it.