Brad Marchand's Emotional Video Finally Explains His Time Away From the NHL
Photo credit: Brad Marchand/Instagram
Brad Marchand is stepping aside from the Panthers temporarily to support a close friend in a heartbreaking situation.
It was announced by Brad Marchand that he will be taking a leave of absence from the Florida Panthers to give support to a friend, going back to Halifax to support him.
Marchand returned to Halifax to coach the Marchand & Mill Co. Hunters in the Nova Scotia U18 league, taking the role after the coach, a close friend of Marchand in JP McCallum, lost his 10-year-old daughter, Selah, to cancer.
Along with former NHLer Andrew Bodnarchuk, Marchand stepped into the coaches role Wednesday night to help fill McCallum role as he grieves the loss of his child.
Brad Marchand Opens Up With Rare Honesty About His Absence
In a personal statement released on social media by Marchand, he discussed the fundraising efforts to support the McCallum family, including urging fans to donate, if possible, to the family's GoFundMe, organized by Bodnarchuk.
Multiple NHL figures have shown public support from their donations, including Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon with a top donation of $2,790 to the family.
The team is owned by Marchand's apparel company which Marchand is the co-owner of. Bodnarchuk is a close family friend, and had left his team in Germany to help coach the team alongside Marchand.
Fans Across the NHL Show Support After His Heartfelt Reveal
Multiple NHL fans across social media gave their condolences to the McCallum family, while praising Marchand for his act in taking time away from the team to support a close friend in an unthinkable situation.
Panthers fans and rival fans alike put aside any personal loyalties to thank Marchand and present support, giving tribute to Selah and praising Marchand for what was a selfless act.
During the game, Marchand said that the event was «something that Selah would have loved», with tributes to the youngster done during the game, and included a raffle for an autographed Marchand jersey as among the ways that the McCallum family is being supported.
Marchand will be back with the Panthers, but for a night had taken himself away from the team to help support a friend, and step up and help support a night to help bring attention to a terrible situation no one would want to imagine.
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