By: Julia Simone | Follow me on Twitter / X @j_simone40
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand has not always been a fan favorite across the league. He is the type of player that you love to have on your team but hate to play against. He is both polarizing and talented. In the last few years, however, his image around the league began to shift. This image was cemented once he was named the 27th captain of the Bruins.
Marchand’s Early Days
Marchand hails from Halifax, Nova Scotia. He was chosen by the Bruins in the third round of the 2006 draft as the 71st pick overall. Despite his small stature of 5’9, he made his NHL debut in 2009, starting at left wing. He rapidly became a pivotal player for the Bruins. In his first two seasons, he tallied 21 goals and 21 assists. During his second season in the league, alongside Patrice Bergeron, he led the Bruins to a Stanley Cup. The Bruins won the Stanley Cup after they beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 in game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. In that game, Marchand and Bergeron registered two goals apiece. Marchand also assisted on Bergeron’s opening goal.
Marchand’s New Reputation
After the Bruins won the Stanley Cup for the first time in 39 years, Marchand started to make a name for himself. He molded himself into the role of agitator on the Bruins. He became a player that teams did not like to play against, not only because of his scoring ability but also partially due to his on-ice antics.
Marchand has been able to use his size to his advantage when he is battling for pucks along the boards in tight spaces. He is well known for his ability to chirp his opponents, which sometimes causes them to take unnecessary penalties. His mental game is as good as his physical game. His hockey sense, tenacity, and overall production have crafted him into one of the best players in the league.
Perhaps Marchand’s most famous incident that truly drove home his agitator reputation was when he licked Ryan Callahan on the Tampa Bay Lightning during a playoff game in 2018. The incident occurred after Marchand laid a big hit on Callahan along the boards during the second period in game 4 of the series. This incident caused many fans and players around the league to dislike him and earned him the moniker “the Rat.”
Marchand Steps into Captaincy
In 2023, the Bruins named Brad Marchand their new captain. This came after former Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron retired. Some questioned whether he would be the right choice given the tough shoes he had to fill and his prior reputation. It was apparent fairly quickly that there was no need for concern. Marchand has maintained his intensity and production while being a measured, strong leader for the Bs. Over the past season and a half as captain, he has 42 goals and tallied 51 assists.
Marchand was the only active player back on December 1st during the Bruins Centennial game that was honored with Bruins alumni. Marchand did not take this honor lightly, and he weighed in on what this moment meant to him, “we carry the torch for those who came before us, and we set the stage for those who will follow. That’s a responsibility I’m proud to take on, and it’s one I do not take lightly. As a captain, I promise to give my all every day to lead this incredible group of players with everything I’ve got and to do whatever it takes to bring pride and victory to this team.”
He is now a bit of a media darling appearing in advertisements and is becoming a favorite of the NHL TNT broadcasting panel. Marchand has gone back and forth poking fun at Paul “Biz” Bissonnette on the broadcasting during intermission or during pre and post-game interviews. Recently, fans have also loved his role in a tipping commercial that the NHL released. Perhaps there may be a future in media for him with a possible spot on the NHL’s TNT panel post-career? B’s fans can only hope.
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