Marner celebrates Stanley Cup Final berth after “some dark times in hockey for myself”

A player who was proverbially cast into exile by his hometown fans is now reaching heights that he has never been to before.

With the Vegas Golden Knights defeating the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final, effectively sweeping the Presidents’ Trophy winners, Golden Knights forward Mitch Marner will now be playing for the Stanley Cup for the first time in his career.

Marner was seen on the ice celebrating with his teammates with great joy after the victory on Tuesday night. He later told the media that his emotions stemmed from a bumpy journey back to loving the game again and enjoying great success.

“It was a special moment,” Marner said. “There’s been some dark times in hockey for myself, honestly. I’m thankful for my family….That was a moment to just express some joy and some fun.”

Marner’s story has been well told, the Toronto native getting a chance to play for his beloved Maple Leafs, helping to bring the franchise out of the depths of the NHL and into consideration as a consistent championship contender. However, when it came to crunch time, Marner and the rest of his Leaf teammates flamed out, only winning two rounds in nine playoff appearances.

Last year’s loss to the Florida Panthers spelled the end for Marner’s tenure with the Leafs, leading the team to sign-and-trade Marner to the Golden Knights. The move paid immediate dividends. Marner found himself rejuvenated in his new digs, playing under a smaller spotlight, with the pressure not nearly as intense in Las Vegas as it is in the hockey mecca of the world. Marner was one of Vegas’s top offensive weapons all season long. Despite not reaching 100 points as he did last season, the 29-year-old still notched 80 points in 81 games.

He has since found even greater success so far in these playoffs. In knocking out the Utah Mammoth and Anaheim Ducks before taking down the Avalanche, Marner not only proved that he can be a big-time player in the playoffs, but also has inserted his name into the Conn Smythe Trophy conversation. In 16 games, he has notched seven goals and 14 assists, leading all skaters with 21 points.

The Golden Knights now await to see who they will play in the Stanley Cup Final. The Carolina Hurricanes currently lead the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 in their best-of-seven series, with Game 4 set for Wednesday night.