Chapman, Corey and Hunt have been key players in the Cats' outstanding recent era, but Chapman and Hunt were not offered new contracts at the end of 2013 and Corey chose to retire.
Stokes, who turns 29 next month, admits it was hard to take the news the veteran trio would not be at the Cattery next year.
"I think as a player it's a bit hard not to get emotional or personal with it because I've played with those guys for my whole career," Stokes said in Dublin ahead of the International Rules Series against Ireland.
"You play so much footy with these guys that they become more than just teammates. To see it happen, in one way you're a bit upset and sad about it, but then the other way you've got to acknowledge the careers that they've had.
"And I think as a player you've just got to back in the club. They're doing the right thing for the footy club, you've got to respect that and move on as quickly as you can."
Part of the reason behind the Cats' remarkable run of success since their breakthrough 2007 premiership has been their ability to blood youngsters around star senior players such as Chapman, Corey, Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright and Steve Johnson.
Players such as Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan, Steven Motlop and Allen Christensen have become influential senior players in recent seasons, helping the Cats defy old age and conventional premiership windows.
"I think one really good thing that 'Scotty' (coach Chris Scott) has brought to the club is that, yes, we want to have success now and we want shots at Grand Finals like we've been able to do, but we also want to invest time into these young guys and give them games," Stokes said.
"I'm a Geelong man and in 10 years' time when I'm gone and watching Geelong I want to see them succeed. I want to see the guys that we helped shape doing well."
With Corey, Chapman and Hunt gone, Stokes expects players such as Jackson Sheringham and George Horlin-Smith to step up next year, while he thinks Shane Kersten can be groomed to help cover the departure of key forward James Podsiadly.
Meanwhile, Stokes said the lure of being part of the history-making all-indigenous Australian team had made it impossible for him to turn down the chance of playing in the IRS series that starts this Saturday.
The 2013 team will become only the second indigenous side to represent Australia internationally, and the first since the cricket team that played throughout England in 1868.
But Stokes said he would probably not have played if this year's series had been played in Australia.
"It's too hard and the way the seasons are now they're so long and so gruelling you just need that time for your body to recover," he said.
"But being part of an Aboriginal All-Stars team there wasn't one thought of me saying I need to have a rest."
Stokes was hopeful about the future of the IRS series, but said non-indigenous players deserved the chance to represent Australia in future series.
"I think you've got to give the guys another opportunity to play for their country," he said.
"There are other guys out there who deserve to do this, but right now we've been chosen to play it and we're all really excited and proud to get that opportunity."
Twitter: @AFL_Nick. http://afl.to/nickbowen
