Phil Kessel takes jab at Toronto media after winning Stanley Cup with Golden Knights

Phil Kessel added another notch to what has been an unbelievable NHL career on Tuesday, locking up his third Stanley Cup title as the Vegas Golden Knights dominated the Florida Panthers in Game 5.

Despite being a healthy scratch since playing in the first four games of the Golden Knights’ opening-round playoff series against the Winnipeg Jets, the veteran still managed to throw a shot at the Toronto media while celebrating the victory over the Panthers.

“Takes me back to my Toronto days," Kessel told Mike Stephens of The Hockey News. "You guys said I couldn’t win, and now I’m a three-time champ. Remember that.”

Even though he played a minimal role in the Golden Knights' championship run — registering two assists in those four playoff games — his name will still be etched on the Cup just the same.

“I’m fortunate to play on good teams. It’s been a good time. It’s always awesome,” Kessel told Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and David Amber on the ice following Vegas’ 9-3 victory.

The 35-year-old played all 82 regular-season games with the Golden Knights to extend his iron man streak, scoring 14 goals and 22 assists. He confirmed to Friedman after Game 5 that he has no plans to retire.

Kessel has taken some playful jabs since his departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs. The former dynamic scorer took plenty of heat in the media during his tenure with the club before he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in July of 2015, where he won his first two championships.

He still brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto after winning his first ring in 2016. He visited Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, and in a more self-deprecating moment, posed with a Stanley Cup full of hot dogs, making light of the controversial Toronto Sun column following Kessel’s trade to Pittsburgh that indicated he made a daily visit to a local hot dog stand before showing up at the arena.

Kessel played seven seasons with the Maple Leafs, but had only one postseason appearance with the club following a blockbuster trade from the Boston Bruins.

Kessel's dig marked the second year in a row that a polarizing ex-Maple Leaf called out his haters while celebrating a Stanley Cup victory. Nazem Kadri got the ball rolling last year during the Colorado Avalanche's on-ice festivities.

“For everyone that thought I was a liability in the playoffs you can kiss my ass,” Kadri said at the time.