LAS VEGAS | “Even in football he tries to cheat to beat us.” Mark Stone was just unbuckling his skates when he made this little revelation about his locker neighbor Jonathan Marchessault.
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The anecdote is nothing extraordinary. Before Game 4 of the finals, the Golden Knights players tied their legs with a soccer ball. Marchessault also opened his mouth screaming as soon as a teammate lost the ball and was kicked out of the game (Aki style), with the last survivor winning.
While this one-ball routine remains common among the NHL’s 32 teams, Marchessault’s will to win has remained somewhat rarer.
“He’s a special player,” Stone said. He has a whole character and desire to win. It’s a pleasure to play with him. It never gets boring with us.”
Ivan Barbashev was acquired by the St. Louis Blues at the end of the season and is on the left wing of the Golden Knights front line along with Jack Eichel and Marchessault.
An infectious energy
When asked what he didn’t know about Marchessault before arriving in Vegas, Barbashev smiles as he answers the question.
“He talks a lot. He talks loud. He makes several jokes. But he’s quite a hockey player. Ever since they built the team, he’s been an important part of the Golden Knights. He reached the finals in the first year he wanted to win He’s upped his game since the start of the playoffs, he’s scoring big goals.
In a press conference, Bruce Cassidy also detailed what he learned from his right winger during his first season at the helm of the team.
“I knew he scored goals and made big plays, but I didn’t know he had so much fire in his eyes,” Cassidy said. He rose in the rankings and became a hitter in the NHL. I trained against him when I was in the American League. There was nothing automatic for him. He had a good season in the AHL and caught a team’s attention. He had things to prove.
“I’ve learned a lot about him since coming to Vegas,” he continued. He is also a father engaged in hockey, he manages his boys. He often shows up with the guys in the arena, we see them running through the locker room. I also like his competitive side, including in training. It helps increase our energy levels. You need players like him.
Everywhere at the top
Marchessault shares the NHL lead with Leon Draisaitl in goals (13). He also tops the points list with 24 points, tied with Matthew Tkachuk and Roope Hintz.
With such good stats, should the Knights defeat the Panthers in the Finals, the number 81 will be a contender for the Conn-Smythe Trophy.
For Nicolas Roy, the choice of Marchessault is part of pure logic.
“It definitely needs to be considered,” he told the Journal. In my eyes he is the big favorite to win. He did everything for us. Every goal he scored was an important goal. If you look at the guys who have won the Conn-Smythe in the past, they were players who were at their best in the big moments. Marchy did just that for us.”
And Roy continued his lengthy answer with a reference to football.
“He never lets go, he’s hard to put down, even when you’re playing football.” He finds ways to stay in the game. But it is a reflection of his character. He always wants to win. He’s a winner.”