Brad Marchand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brad Marchand
Marchand with the Boston Bruins in March 2016
Born	(1988-05-11) May 11, 1988 (age 37) Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height	5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight	182 lb (83 kg; 13 st 0 lb)
Position	Left wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Boston Bruins
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	71st overall, 2006 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2008–present

Bradley Kevin Marchand (born May 11, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is a left winger and captain for the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Bruins picked Marchand in the third round of the 2006 NHL entry draft.

Marchand grew up in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. He was the oldest of four children. His parents were both hockey coaches. Between 2004 and 2008, Marchand played for three junior ice hockey teams. The Bruins watched Marchand closely. They made a trade to make sure they could draft him in 2006.

Marchand joined the Bruins' main team in 2010. He helped them win the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. He also helped the Bruins reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2013 and 2019. Over time, Marchand became known for scoring many goals. He also gained a reputation as a "pest." This means he would annoy his opponents on the ice.

During the 2017–18 NHL season, Marchand got into trouble. He received fines and suspensions for hitting other players. After that season, he decided to improve his behavior. He then had a great season in 2018–19, scoring 100 points. Even with his efforts, Marchand continued to get suspended. In the 2021–22 NHL season, he was suspended nine times. This made him the most suspended player in NHL history.

Early Life and Hockey Beginnings

Marchand was born on May 11, 1988. He grew up in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia. His parents, Kevin and Lynn, had four children. Marchand's father was a tough player in his own junior hockey days. He taught his children to balance skill with physical play.

Marchand started playing hockey at age two. He developed an aggressive style early on. He remembers starting to fight in games around age 13. This helped him release his extra energy. He struggled with his temper as a child. He even took anger management classes. Later, he saw a sport psychologist to help with his on-ice frustrations.

Marchand became good friends with National Hockey League player Andrew Bodnarchuk. They were teammates in minor hockey. Marchand was known for taking penalties. He also liked to annoy his opponents. He had strong rivalries with other teams.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Years

Marchand playing for the Halifax Mooseheads in January 2008

The Moncton Wildcats picked Marchand in the 2004 QMJHL draft. The QMJHL is a major junior hockey league. He scored 29 goals for Moncton in his first year. He was named the team's Rookie of the Year. In the 2005–06 QMJHL season, he scored 29 goals and 66 points. He helped Moncton reach the Memorial Cup finals.

The Boston Bruins of the NHL watched Marchand closely. They traded for a draft pick to select him. They picked him 71st overall in 2006. Marchand signed his first NHL contract in October 2007.

In January 2006, Marchand was traded to the Val-d'Or Foreurs. He scored 33 goals and 47 assists that season. In the playoffs, he led the league in goals and assists. He also showed he could be a tough player. He had 36 penalty minutes.

In December 2007, Marchand was traded again. He joined the Halifax Mooseheads, his hometown team. His childhood friends were already playing there. He scored 29 points in 26 games for Halifax.

Starting in the AHL and NHL

Marchand with the Providence Bruins in November 2008

After junior hockey, Marchand joined the Providence Bruins. This team is Boston's minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL). He had a great 2008–09 AHL season. He was second in scoring among all AHL rookies. He had 18 goals and 41 assists in 79 games. His scoring continued in the playoffs. Providence reached the final four of the Calder Cup playoffs.

Marchand started the 2009–10 AHL season in Providence. He was called up to the NHL after six games. He made his NHL debut on October 21, 2009. He got an assist in a 3–2 win. He played 20 NHL games that year. He had one assist and 20 penalty minutes.

Winning the Stanley Cup (2009–2013)

Marchand in June 2011 at the 2011 Stanley Cup victory parade in Downtown Boston

For the 2010–11 NHL season, Marchand earned a spot on the Bruins' main team. He scored his first NHL goal on November 3, 2010. He finished the season with 41 points (21 goals, 20 assists). He also got his first NHL suspension for elbowing a player. Fans voted him the Bruins' Seventh Player Award winner. This award goes to a player who does better than expected.

In the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs, Marchand moved up to the first line. He played with Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. He made his playoff debut on April 14. He scored his first playoff goal in Game 5 of the first round. The Bruins went on to win the Stanley Cup. Marchand scored two goals and an assist in Game 7 of the finals. This helped Boston win the championship. He finished the playoffs with 19 points (11 goals, eight assists). His 11 playoff goals tied for the second-most by any NHL rookie.

Marchand with the Boston Bruins in February 2012

In September 2011, Marchand signed a new two-year contract. He continued to develop his "pest" reputation. He tried to fight P. K. Subban twice in one game. In December, he was fined for tripping a player. Later that season, Marchand scored his first NHL hat trick. He scored three goals and five points in a game. In January 2012, he was suspended for five games for hitting a player. He finished the season with 28 goals and 27 assists. He won two team awards that year.

In September 2012, Marchand signed a four-year contract extension. The 2012–13 NHL season was delayed by a lockout. Marchand chose not to play in Europe during this time. He scored 18 goals and 18 assists in 45 games. The Bruins reached the 2013 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in six games.

Challenges and Scoring Highs (2013–2016)

Marchand with the Bruins in October 2013

The 2013–14 NHL season was tough for Marchand at first. He struggled to score goals. His coach even moved him to lower lines. He also got in trouble for taunting the Vancouver Canucks. He kissed his Stanley Cup ring during a game. By the end of the season, he improved to 25 goals and 28 assists. He won the Eddie Shore Award for his effort.

Marchand worked hard in the off-season for the 2014–15 Boston Bruins season. He wanted to improve his play. In November 2014, he got his 100th NHL assist. In December, he scored his 100th NHL goal. The team missed the playoffs that year. Marchand led the team with 24 goals. He also had elbow surgery after the season.

In the 2015–16 NHL season, Marchand suffered a concussion. He missed two games. He also got suspended for hitting a player. In February 2016, Marchand scored a rare overtime penalty shot goal. He set a career high with 37 goals that season. He also won his second Seventh Player Award.

"Perfection Line" Era and Captaincy (2016–Present)

On September 26, 2016, Marchand signed a big eight-year contract. He started the 2016–17 NHL season with a scoring burst. He was selected for his first NHL All-Star Game in January 2017. He scored his second NHL hat trick in March. He finished the season with 39 goals and 46 assists. He missed the last two games due to a suspension. The Bruins made the playoffs but lost in the first round. Marchand was named to the NHL First All-Star Team.

Marchand played with Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrňák in the 2017–18 NHL season. They became known as the "Perfection" line. Marchand's behavior on the ice caused problems. He received a five-game suspension for elbowing a player. He was also fined for faking a reaction to draw penalties. He even got a warning from the NHL for licking opponents. Marchand said he would try to improve his character. He finished the season with 34 goals and 51 assists.

In the first game of the 2018–19 NHL season, Marchand got into a fight. He was ejected from the game. In his next game, he had four assists. He and the "Perfection line" continued to score many points. In March 2019, Marchand broke a team record for shorthanded goals. In April, he reached 100 points in a season. He was the first Bruin to do so since 2003. He ended the season with 36 goals and 64 assists. The Bruins reached the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost in Game 7. Marchand took responsibility for a mistake in that final game.

Marchand and the Bruins wanted to move past the Finals loss. In October 2019, the "Perfection line" had a huge game. Marchand and Pastrňák each had five points. In November, Marchand reached 600 career points. He became a great playmaker for his teammates. He had 28 goals and 59 assists in the 2019–20 NHL season. The NHL season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Marchand was concerned about returning too quickly. The Bruins lost in the second round of the playoffs.

In September 2020, Marchand had hip surgery. He was named an alternate captain in January 2021. He led the team with 29 goals and 40 assists in the 2020–21 NHL season. He scored important overtime goals in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. One goal broke a record set by Bobby Orr in 1970. Marchand was named to the 2021 All-NHL First Team.

Marchand (right) skating against Carson Soucy in February 2023

In October 2021, Marchand scored a goal on a penalty shot. This was a rare way to score the first goal of a season. In November, he received his seventh career suspension. He was suspended for three games. In February 2022, he got his eighth suspension. He was banned for six games for hitting a goalie. Marchand said his actions were "stupid" but not "suspension-worthy."

Marchand had hip surgery again in May 2022. He returned early for the 2022–23 NHL season. He scored two goals and an assist in his first game back. Marchand helped the Bruins set new records for wins and points. However, the team lost in the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs. Marchand had 10 points in the playoffs.

In September 2023, Marchand was named captain of the Bruins. He took over after Patrice Bergeron retired. In November, Marchand recorded his 500th NHL assist. In February 2024, he played his 1,000th NHL game. He became only the eighth player to play 1,000 games with the Bruins. In April, Marchand scored his 400th NHL goal. He is the fifth player in Bruins history to reach this mark. In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Marchand broke the Bruins' record for most playoff goals. He was injured in the second round after a hit from an opponent. The Bruins lost that series.

In September 2024, Marchand revealed he had three surgeries. He had repairs for injuries he played through. In October 2024, Marchand scored his 20th overtime winning goal. This made him one of only three players in NHL history to do so.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
IIHF World Championship
Gold	2016 Russia
Canada Cup / World Cup
Gold	2016 Toronto
World Junior Championships
Gold	2008 Czech Republic
Gold	2007 Sweden
Representing Canada Atlantic
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Bronze	2005 Alberta

Marchand first played for Team Canada at the 2005 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He won a bronze medal. He then played for Canada twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship. He won gold medals in 2007 and 2008.

As an adult, Marchand played for Canada in the 2016 IIHF World Championship. Canada won the gold medal. Marchand was also named to Team Canada for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. He played on a line with Patrice Bergeron and Sidney Crosby. Marchand led the tournament in goals. His short-handed goal in the finals won Canada the gold medal.

Personal Life

Marchand and former teammate Kevan Miller own an outdoor sports company. It is called March & Mill Co. They bought a lodge in Newfoundland in 2020. They plan to offer hunting and fishing trips there.

Marchand married his wife Katrina in September 2015. He has two daughters and a stepson.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005	Canada Atlantic	U17			6	5	6	11	10
2005	Canada	U18			5	2	2	4	16
2007	Canada	WJC			6	2	0	2	2
2008	Canada	WJC			7	4	2	6	4
2016	Canada	WC			10	4	3	7	10
2016	Canada	WCH			6	5	3	8	8
Junior totals					25	13	10	23	32
Senior totals					16	9	6	15	18

Awards, Honours, and Records

Records

• Most overtime goals in Bruins history (16)
• Most shorthanded goals in Bruins history (31)
• Most goals in playoff elimination games in Bruins history (10)
• Fastest postseason overtime goal in Bruins history (39 seconds)
• First overtime penalty-shot goal in Bruins history (February 6, 2016)
• Most suspensions in NHL history (eighth recorded on February 8, 2022)
• Most playoff goals in Bruins history (56)

See also

• List of NHL players with 1,000 games played
• List of NHL players with 100-point seasons