"In the same barn where he skated in over 500 games, Brad Marchand was out of his comfort zone. For the first time in his 17-year NHL career, the 37-year-old winger found cheers cascading down upon him in an opponent's rink. And for the first time since the quick-witted agitator presumably ever etched his skates into a frozen sheet, Marchand - always primed for a chirp and a subsequent barrage of verbal barbs - was rendered speechless."
""I'm so grateful for the moment, and very appreciative for it - for what the Bruins did to kind of put that together, and the love and support the fans have showed me," Marchand said of the video tribute and reception that played out on Tuesday. "Not just tonight, but throughout my entire career here. I always loved playing here and loved putting the jersey on and wearing my heart on my sleeve.""
"The emotion that Marchand carries on every shift - occasionally fueling post-whistle scraps and face-washes; and oftentimes serving as his club's on-ice shot of adrenaline - was put on display as soon as his video tribute commenced during the first media timeout between Boston and Florida. A stone-faced reaction was never going to be in the cards. Not for a player who long served as the emotional heartbeat of this franchise."
Brad Marchand returned to the Garden in Panthers garb and was greeted by cheers and a video tribute orchestrated by the Bruins. The 37-year-old winger, who played over 500 games there across a 17-year NHL career, was visibly moved and briefly speechless. Marchand expressed gratitude for the reception and for the fans' support throughout his career, saying he loved wearing the jersey and playing in Boston. The tribute highlighted the emotional intensity he brought to every shift, his role in fueling scrums and adrenaline, and his long-standing identity as the franchise's emotional heartbeat.
Read at Boston.com
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