It was nice to see Brad Marchand back in the building last night at TD Garden, even if it was on the opposing team. Thank you for the memories, Marchy.
A moment for Marchy 👏 👏 👏 pic.twitter.com/QvJ0ZbGhpO
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 22, 2025
Marchand’s emotional response to the tribute paid to him by the Boston Bruins organization was described by Kevin Paul Dupont in the Boston Globe. Dupont wrote:
The kids. The years. The time spent in Boston, growing as a player, as a person, as a Bruin to be revered and remembered.
It all cascaded through his head before that giant knot welled in his throat, grew too big, and the tears began to stream down his face, rivulets of thanks and farewell. He appreciated seeing it, he said, but the tribute also was torture.
“I always loved playing here,’’ Marchand said when the night was over — a night the Li’l Ball o’Hate admitted caused him angst for weeks. “I loved putting the jersey on and wearing my heart on my sleeve. It’s a hard-working city and people appreciate that. I love the fans here. They are special. They are an incredible group.’’
Did we expect he would say anything different? Of course not. Not anyone who paid attention during his time here. For all his undying reputation of being Peck’s Bad Boy, Marchand forever was sincere, often blunt and unvarnished, and forever sincere.
“It was a very, very special night for myself and my family,’’ he said. “I was trying not to cry — that’s what I was trying to do, and as soon as I saw my kids on the screen, it kind of hit like a ton of bricks . . . the memories, the emotion, just the years and the years, the incredible times. It just kind of comes pouring into your memory.’’
