Brad Marchand has taken a brief hiatus from playing with the Florida Panthers to support a close friend coping with a heartbreaking loss. As reported by the Associated Press, Marchand traveled back to his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to step in as a substitute coach for JP McCallum, whose 10-year-old daughter recently passed away from cancer.
Marchand missed Tuesday night’s shootout defeat against the Anaheim Ducks to coach the March and Mill Company Hunters in their Wednesday game versus the Halifax Max. He also announced plans for a fundraiser dedicated to the memory of Serra Panacci-McCallum, the late daughter, emphasizing their love for hockey with the message: “Let’s come together to honor a wonderful evening at the rink, supported by the generous donations inspired by a young girl passionate about the sport.”
As a part-owner of March and Mill, the organization behind the Nova Scotia U18 Hockey League team, Marchand is expected to rejoin the Panthers for their game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday. Panthers’ manager Paul Maurice noted that the team’s schedule conveniently allowed Marchand to take this time away to support his friend’s family, with no ice commitments until then.
Currently in his first full season with Florida, Marchand has started strong, accumulating five goals and six assists in just 10 games.
Fan Take: Brad Marchand’s choice to pause his NHL season to support a grieving friend highlights the deep community and human side of hockey beyond the rink. This gesture not only showcases the compassionate spirit within the sport but also reinforces the role hockey can play in bringing people together during difficult times.
