Brad Marchand, Canadian ice hockey player
Brad Marchand ( mahr-SHAND; born May 11, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and alternate captain of the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Bruins selected Marchand in the third round, 71st overall, of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Marchand was raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the oldest of four children born to two local hockey coaches. As a child, he was known for his short temper, seeing a sport psychologist and taking anger management classes to address his frustrations. He also became close friends with future NHL player Andrew Bodnarchuk, playing with him on both a minor ice hockey team and for Madeline Symonds Middle School. Between 2004 and 2008, Marchand played for three junior ice hockey teams: he was drafted by the Moncton Wildcats, was traded to the Val-d'Or Foreurs in 2006, and was traded again to the Halifax Mooseheads in 2007. At the same time, the Bruins were scouting Marchand, and made a trade with the New York Islanders to ensure that he was drafted by Boston in 2006.
After Halifax fell to the Gatineau Olympiques in the 2009 QMJHL championships, with Marchand a healthy scratch for their elimination game, the Bruins told Marchand to stay home and report that fall for training camp. He spent the 2008–09 AHL season with the Providence Bruins before making his NHL debut in October 2009. Marchand was a member of the Bruins' starting roster in 2010, playing on the fourth line and helping the Bruins win the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. Marchand and the Bruins struggled in the next several seasons, first when a lockout shortened the 2012–13 NHL season, followed by two consecutive playoff misses. Meanwhile, Marchand was increasing both his number of goals per season and his reputation as a pest.
During the 2017–18 NHL season, Marchand received a series of fines, suspensions, and media controversies for hits on his opponents, as well as his habit of kissing or licking other players. He decided after the season to focus on improving his character, and followed through by scoring 100 points during the 2018–19 NHL season. Marchand's high-scoring season was undercut by a disappointing defeat at the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals, and as he moved into the 2019–20 NHL season, Marchand focused on setting up scoring chances for linemates Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrňák.