Manitoba’s hockey pipeline is on full display in this year’s Stanley Cup Final — and no matter who wins between Carolina and Vegas, the province is guaranteed to celebrate with the Cup this summer. With a deep roster of Manitoba‑born players and one of the most influential executives in the sport involved, the province’s presence in the championship series is impossible to miss. And while Manitoba’s impact is front and centre, the Final also highlights just how global today’s NHL has become — a look at each roster’s national makeup shows two teams built from talent around the world.
📊 How the Finalists Were Built: Country of Origin
| Vegas Golden Knights | Carolina Hurricanes |
|---|---|
| Canada — 10 | Canada — 9 |
| United States — 7 | United States — 8 |
| Sweden — 3 | Finland — 3 |
| Russia — 2 | Russia — 2 |
| Czech Republic — 1 | Sweden — 1 |
| Finland — 1 | Czech Republic — 1 |
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.
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.
🏒 Manitoba‑Born Players in the 2026 Playoffs
(With junior‑hockey teams)
Forwards
Morgan Geekie — Boston Bruins (Strathclair, MB) Junior: Tri‑City Americans (WHL)
Conor Geekie — Tampa Bay Lightning (Strathclair, MB) Junior: Winnipeg Ice (WHL), Wenatchee Wild (WHL), Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Tyson Kozak — Buffalo Sabres (Souris, MB) Junior: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Seth Jarvis — Carolina Hurricanes (Winnipeg, MB) Junior: Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Jordan Martinook — Carolina Hurricanes (Brandon, MB) Junior: Vancouver Giants (WHL)
Connor Dewar — Pittsburgh Penguins (The Pas, MB) Junior: Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Mark Stone — Vegas Golden Knights (Winnipeg, MB) Junior: Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Brett Howden — Vegas Golden Knights (Oakbank, MB) Junior: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Keegan Kolesar — Vegas Golden Knights (Brandon, MB) Junior: Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
Defencemen
Joel Edmundson — Los Angeles Kings (Brandon, MB) Junior: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL), Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
Daemon Hunt — Minnesota Wild (Brandon, MB) Junior: Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
Goaltenders
James Reimer — Ottawa Senators (Morweena, MB) Junior: Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Total Manitoba‑born players in the 2026 NHL Playoffs: 12
