What former Toronto Maple Leafs star Marner said after reaching Stanley Cup Final

After nine seasons of playoff letdowns in Toronto Maple Leafs blue and white, Mitch Marner has officially punched his ticket to the Stanley Cup Final in his very first year with his new team.

The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 on Tuesday to complete the series sweep and become the first team to secure a spot in this year's Stanley Cup Final.

Marner has been at the focal point of the Golden Knights' playoff run. The 29-year-old has recorded seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points in 16 playoff games, while also leading all skaters with a +12 rating.

Following the series-clinching win, Marner let his emotions pour out on the ice, screaming and fist-pumping toward the home crowd in Vegas before opening up about the journey during a post-game interview with Sportsnet's Shawn McKenzie.

"There's been some dark moments in my hockey career, really, and my parents and wife have been beside me," Marner told McKenzie. "I have a lot of love for them. They keep me going, and I'm excited to share this with them now."

"It's been a great road, and you know, hopefully this road keeps going."

Mitch Marner joins @ShawnMcKenzieSN after Vegas’ Western Conference Final series win. pic.twitter.com/zno7kZvNEV — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2026

When Marner was asked about his celebration afterward, he described it as a moment when he finally felt comfortable expressing joy.

"It's been a lot of hard work from guys in this locker room. We are all trying to make each other better," Marner said. "I'll enjoy the moment for the night and then be ready to go back to work."

Marner spent nine years with Toronto, helping the Maple Leafs reach the playoffs every year during that span. However, there wasn't much success in late April and May every year. The furthest the team advanced was the second round in both 2022-23 and 2024-25, and a stigma developed around Marner being unable to perform when it counts.

The Markham, Ont., native left his hometown team last offseason and signed an eight-year $96-million deal with the Vegas Golden Knights ahead of the 2025-2026 campaign — and in hindsight, the move has paid off.

Mitch Marner is fired up after advancing to the first Stanley Cup Final of his career 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/rf8y1iRrGz

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 27, 2026

"It's been a whirlwind," Marner said of his first season in Vegas. "I'm very excited to be here and on this team. It's something I've talked about since Day 1, and now the work keeps going."

One thing Marner has repeatedly mentioned throughout the playoffs is the trust and support he feels from his new teammates.

"We obviously have an older group that just stays patient and calm. We don't turn on each other, we don't get mad at each other. We know everyone is trying to do their best out there every single shift," Marner told reporters following Game 3.

The comments triggered some mixed reactions from Leafs fans online, with many thinking it was a subtle jab at some of his former teammates.

Other Leafs fans are happy to see Marner thriving in a new environment, as he finds himself now four wins away from hoisting the Stanley Cup — a pipe dream from where he sat at this time last year.