Stone already 'getting the itch' to defend Stanley Cup championship

Mark Stone may be relishing the offseason and his time with the Stanley Cup, but the Vegas Golden Knights captain is already thinking about the club's quest for a repeat.

"It's been a short summer but a great summer," Stone told NHL.com's Darrin Bauming and Amalie Benjamin. "I'd do anything to do this all over again next year, but I'm excited to get back again."

Stone had his time with the Cup earlier this week, taking it to a children's hospital in his hometown of Winnipeg with family. Vegas won the trophy in mid-June, and training camp is scheduled to start in mid-September. But the 31-year-old wants to hit the fast-forward button.

"We are getting the itch to get back in the gym, getting the itch to get back on the ice," Stone said. "Sometimes you think (a teammate) wants the time off, and then you get a month in, and you're ready to get back. I'm ready to get back."

Stone underwent his second back surgery in a nine-month span on Jan. 31 after injuring it less than three weeks earlier. He missed the rest of the regular season but returned for the playoffs, racking up 11 goals and 13 assists over 22 games to help Vegas triumph over the Florida Panthers in the championship round.

The two-way dynamo has been limited to 80 regular-season games combined over the last two campaigns due to injuries.

Stone has spent four full seasons and part of another with Vegas. The Golden Knights acquired him in a trade with the Ottawa Senators in February 2019. He played parts of seven campaigns with the Sens to begin his career.

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