FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Brad Marchand first lifted the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins at the age of 23. He made two more appearances in the final series with the Bruins at 25 and 31. Over the years, he admits he wasn`t sure if he`d ever get back to the championship stage.
Now, at 37, and playing for the Florida Panthers, he has reached the Final once more.
This time, however, Marchand is determined to fully appreciate the opportunity.
Reflecting on his career spanning over 1,274 games, including playoff contests, Marchand acknowledges that some moments have faded from memory. He recognizes instances where he failed to truly soak in the experience, taking opportunities for granted. Knowing his career is nearing its conclusion, he is committed to ensuring that doesn`t happen this time.
Marchand described his current mindset: “It`s more about enjoying every day, having fun when I come to the rink,” he stated. “Things can get stressful when you start overthinking, looking too far ahead, or dwelling on the pressure you put on yourself. This time, I`m just trying to enjoy each day, live in the moment, and not take things overly seriously.”
Except, of course, when it comes to the game itself.
Marchand is fully focused on the job ahead, beginning Wednesday evening when the Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers to kick off the Stanley Cup Final in Edmonton. This series is a repeat of last season`s matchup between the Panthers and Oilers, which Florida ultimately won in seven games. While a rematch wasn`t entirely unexpected after that series concluded, it`s highly unlikely anyone predicted it would feature the former Boston captain now playing for Florida.
“This is special,” Marchand remarked. “You don`t get many chances to be a part of something like this.”
The statistics highlight Marchand`s value: the Panthers hold an 8-2 record in the playoffs when he registers at least one point, compared to 4-3 when he doesn`t. Similarly, they are 9-1 when he plays 15 1/2 minutes or more, versus 3-4 when his ice time is less. This demonstrates that even at his age, his contributions, both physically and vocally, significantly influence the team`s success.
Panthers coach Paul Maurice praised Marchand`s leadership: “Some intense, vocal guys might yell up and down the bench because they get so caught up in the game,” Maurice said. “He never does that. It`s always positive. It`s always, `Stay in there, hang in there.`… It`s almost legendary at this point. He constantly encourages his teammates, and he`s just excited every day. That`s who he is.”
However, he also has a distinctly playful side.
For instance, Marchand turned a simple trip to Dairy Queen with teammates into a multi-day talking point by joking that he ate a dessert from there during an intermission of a game against Carolina. (He later clarified he actually had honey, not a Blizzard.) He`s known for teasing his teammates since joining the Panthers and good-naturedly accepts the team`s tradition of throwing toy rats — a nod to his “rat” nickname and a tradition dating back to 1996 — onto the ice after wins, even playfully referring to it as a “family reunion”.
