By: Tom Calautti | @TCalauttis
1108 games, 427 goals, 988 points, 1,123 penalty minutes, 12 trips to the Stanley Cup playoffs, and four trips to the Stanley Cup Finals. Brad Marchand has prepared for everything the hockey world has thrown at him, but nothing could’ve prepared him for his return to Boston.
“I just avoided it, I’m not going to lie to you. I just tried not to think about it at all,” said Marchand about playing at TD Garden for the first time since being traded to the Florida Panthers. “I’m not great at thinking about things, I like just to live my life day-to-day.”
Despite his best efforts to block out the noise and go about his business as usual, Marchand knew the moment would catch up to him. The Panthers were nearing the end of a nine-game road trip when they left Buffalo on October 18 and headed to Boston. That gave the former captain several days in his previous home to soak in the moment and prepare for what he knew was coming.
“The first time I thought about it, it was (NHL.com reporter Amalie Benjamin)’s fault because she wrote an article,” said Marchand. “But I went to dinner with (Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara), and I was on the way and I started thinking about it a bit.”
The ‘it’ Marchand is referencing is the tribute video traditionally placed after the first TV timeout in the opening frame of a player’s return to TD Garden. The fateful moment came at 10:41 in the first period, and by the time the 1:23 video elapsed, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
“I knew it was going to hit me the way it did. It was extremely touching and i’m so grateful for it and very appreciative for what the Bruins did,” said Marchand with a smile. “It was a very, very special night for me and my family.”
Following the end of the tribute video, the TD Garden faithful gave Marchand a 1:50 standing ovation, one long enough to eclipse the actual tribute itself. The former Bruin went out of his way to thank the fans for supporting him, not just for tonight, but for the entirety of his career.
“I love the fans here. They’re special, they’re an incredible group,” said Marchand with a smirk. I always loved playing here and loved putting on the jersey and wearing my heart on my sleeve. (Boston) is a hard-working city, and people appreciate that. I love the fans here, they’re so special.”
It wasn’t all waterworks from the beginning. The video started with several highlight reel goals and assists from 63’s career. It wasn’t until a clip of Marchand rinkside with his daughter appeared on the Jumbotron that the ‘little ball of hate’ lost his composure in the best possible way.
“I was trying not to cry. That was what I was trying to do. And then, you know, as soon as I saw my kids on the screen, you know, it kind of hit like a ton of bricks.”
He continued, “To see a snapshot of (his career) and a clip like that, it just brings everything back. And just the amount of pride, like I said, that I had and I have that I played here in this part of this organization. You know, I just couldn’t hold it in…so it meant a lot.”
Marchand continued his effusive praise of the city and the fanbase, making sure to highlight their passion for the sport and the love and support they show their beloved Bruins. He made a point to acknowledge just how infectious that passion is, and why it makes Boston such a unique place to play.
“Yeah, you know, I’ve always really, really loved (the fans). I said it, they’re hard-working people. I love how much they care about the team here…They want to win as much or more than we want to win.” Said Marchand. “If we lose a game, they’ll go to work pissed the next day…They bleed black and gold.”
The former fan-favorite may have finished his playing career in Boston, but he didn’t completely close the door on a future with the organization. When it comes to potentially rejoining the Black and Gold in an off-ice capacity, Boston’s all-time leader in shorthanded and playoff goals believes it’s a strong possibility.
“(The Bruins are) an organization that I’ll always be a part of in some capacity down the road. I’m sure me and some of the guys will have conversations with (Bergeron and Chara) and whoever wants to jump in and we’ll come back together.”
As for the game itself, the Panthers ended up prevailing in a back-and-forth affair by a score of 4-3 on a wonky bounce with under a minute remaining. The result may not have been what the current iteration of the Bruins wanted, but for fans across New England, it was a perfect send-off for one of their favorite players.
Despite Marchand closing the chapter on Boston last season, it’s clear that the spoked-B is forever embedded in his soul. Anyone who’s had the privilege to speak with Marchand knows he’s a once-in-a-generation player and a once-in-a-generation person as well. This city was lucky to have him, and he knows he was lucky to have us.
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