There is something special about winning a Stanley Cup, and often about reaching the finals at all, that I think really sticks with players. How difficult it is, the dedication it takes, the sacrifices that are made, the need to fall in line and push forward when people go down. I think that type of experience is invaluable, no matter the role you played in it.
That said, it's not indicitive of any one player's impact on the team, it is, more than any other sport IMO, a team championship.
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