The honor is so high and the decision made with such care, the Vegas Golden Knights have waited until their fourth season to finally pick the person for the job. Today, in front of his teammates and with the entire city of Las Vegas bearing witness, Mark Stone was made captain of the Golden Knights.
Messier. Beliveau. Potvin. Yzerman. Clarke. NHL captains all. And now Stone. Part of the NHL's grand tradition and wearers of a C on their sweater.
Already a leader, Stone now has the formal distinction of being VGK captain.
Hockey's captains have more than a ceremonial role. It's an honor with great responsibility. They must lead. Spot a great captain and often a championship team will follow.
Stone is among the most important Golden Knights skaters. His play typifies the expression "He leads by example." He's unselfish in the offensive zone and an elite defensive forward.
He wears his joy on his face and in fact his entire body when a teammate scores. Expressive Mark Stone they call him.
A captain must fight for his teammates. Hold them accountable and push them to greater heights. Stone holds all the necessary attributes. He's deserving of the distinction.
"Pete (DeBoer) called me in to his office. Didn't really think much of it, just thought maybe he was going to ask about the camp. Asked me if I was up for the opportunity to be the captain of this team. This is an organization I've always wanted to be a part of so to be able to be the first captain of this franchise it's very honoring, very humbling and I'm excited to see where this team goes," said Stone.
There is a quality in some people that attracts others. It pulls others into their wake. They don't ask you to follow. It just happens.
Stone's leadership is organic and authentic. It's natural. The C will mean a lot to Stone but it won't change who he is, how he plays or how he acts. The Golden Knights have made it official but it doesn't change what was already known inside the locker room and around the NHL: This is Mark Stone's team. It was yesterday and it is today and will be tomorrow.
They've sewn a C on Stone's jersey. Now he'll pursue to have that C, along with his name and those of his teammates, etched on the Stanley Cup. That hasn't changed and it won't going forward.
That's who Stone is and what he's about.
The stitching is fine. But what Stone really wants is the engraving.
