Watch: An emotional Brad Marchand receives video tribute, ovation in return to TD Garden
With tears in his eyes, Brad Marchand saluted the crowd amid an extended ovation on Causeway Street.
Sixteen years to the day after Brad Marchand made his NHL debut with the Bruins at TD Garden, the 37-year-old veteran returned to Causeway Street — albeit in a different sweater this time around.
For the first time in his NHL career, Marchand took the ice at Boston’s home barn in an opposing sweater — skating against his longtime team as a member of the Florida Panthers.
Marchand — who was traded to the eventual Stanley-Cup champion Panthers at last season’s trade deadline — acknowledged on Monday that he was uncertain what type of reception he’d receive back in Boston.
The 2011 Stanley Cup champion etched his name in Boston’s record books across his 16-year tenure with the Original Six club — ranking first in franchise history in playoff goals (56), second in game-winning goals (82), and fourth in both games played (1,090) and goals (422).
But given Marchand’s standing as a key piece on one of Boston’s most-loathed foes as of late — coupled with his long-standing reputation as a pest on the ice — the former Bruins captain wasn’t sure if the Garden crowd would dole out both cheers and jeers on Tuesday night.
“I’m sure it’s going to be tough for some people,” Marchand said Monday. “Like they won’t be able to cheer because I know they don’t like the Panthers very much. But maybe they’ll like me enough to give a little ‘yay’ out there or something.”
Of course, Marchand received plenty of cheers during warmups in his anticipated return to Boston, with the Bruins honoring the longtime lineup staple with a video tribute during the first media timeout.
The video featured some of Marchand’s top highlights during his extended run with the Burins, including his role in Boston’s 2011 Stanley Cup title and two more trips to the Stanley Cup Final.
Marchand, with tears in his eyes, skated out on the ice after the video tribute and saluted the crowd — with the fan favorite receiving an extended ovation for over three minutes.
You can watch the full video tribute and Marchand’s reaction below:
A packed Garden crowd wasn’t done, as cheers of “Marchy! Marchy” also erupted once play resumed in the first period.
Speaking ahead of puck drop, Marchand shared his appreciation for the Bruins and the fans he played in front of for well over a decade.
“Fans, for sure,” Marchand said when asked about the best thing about Boston. “Hockey wise, the city’s incredible. …. The fans make it awesome, and they’re just very unique. Some of the stories and things that I’ve seen fans do — a lot of them aren’t PG-rated — in playoff runs and stuff like that.
“It’s so special, and I think it’s so unique to this area. … I mean, all the way down, they bleed black and gold, and that’s part of why I think there’s so much pressure on the teams that have success, and why they focus on it so much. I mean, you can’t slip. You guys see it, you’re all here every day, and you don’t have the ability to slip in this city or you’re gonna hear about it. We wanted to produce and be good for the fans and live up to that reputation. So it makes it special to play here.”
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