The Vegas Golden Knights won the 2023 Stanley Cup Finals on Tuesday. On the Golden Knights roster were 18 Canadians, the most in the National Hockey League.
The Canadians on the Golden Knights were center Michael Armadio of Sault. Ste. Marie, Ontario, goaltender Lauren Brossoit of Port Alberni, British Columbia, left winger William Carrier of LaSalle, Quebec, defenseman Nicolas Hague of Kitchener, Ontario, goaltender Adin Hill of Comox, British Columbia, centre Brett Howden of Calgary, Alberta, defenseman Brett Hutton of Brockville, Ontario, right winger Keegan Kolesar of Brandon, Manitoba, Conn Smythe Trophy winner and centre Jonathan Marchessault of Cap-Rouge, Quebec, defenseman Brayden McNabb of Davidson, Saskatchewan, Canadian Olympic gold medalist and defenseman Alex Pietrangelo of King City, Ontario, centre Nicolas Roy of Amos, Quebec, right winger Reilly Smith of Mimico, Ontario, centre Chandler Stephenson of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, captain and right winger Mark Stone of Winnipeg, Manitoba, defenseman Shea Theodore of Langley, British Columbia, goaltender Logan Thompson of Calgary, Alberta, and defenseman Zach Whitecloud of Brandon, Manitoba. Pietrangelo won the gold medal for Canada in men’s hockey at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
In addition to the great offensive skills Marchessault had in the playoffs, Vegas got strong goaltending from Hill, who needs to be strongly considered as Canada’s number one goaltender for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo if the National Hockey League will be sending its best players. In 16 playoff games, Hill had record of 11 wins, four losses, a goals against average of 2.17, save percentage of .932 and two shutouts.
