Brad Marchand Steps Away for a Friend in Need

In a poignant move, Brad Marchand is departing from the Florida Panthers to support a friend who recently lost her daughter to cancer.

The 37-year-old player is set to step in as a guest coach for the U-18 March and Mill Company Hunters in Halifax, his hometown, on Wednesday night. Marchand is not just a player but also a co-owner of the team.

This game is more than just a hockey match; it’s a fundraiser dedicated to the family of 10-year-old Sera Panacci-McCallum, who sadly passed away last week. The event will feature a raffle that includes a jersey signed by Marchand.

“Let’s come together for a special night at the rink, made possible by the generous contributions of a young girl who truly loved the game,” Marchand shared on Instagram.

The president of the league, Paul Graham, commended Marchand’s decision.

“This act illustrates the genuine spirit of Nova Scotia’s hockey community—a community rooted in compassion, loyalty, and bonds that reach far beyond the rink,” Graham commented, as stated in a local report. “We are thinking of JP, his family, and everyone associated with the Hunters.”

Panacci McCollum’s battle with cancer lasted a year before her untimely passing.

Marchand was notably absent from the Florida game against Anaheim on Tuesday. Paul Maurice, the team’s manager, anticipates that Marchand will return to the ice when the defending Stanley Cup champions face off against Dallas on Saturday.

Having won two Stanley Cups, Marchand is currently in his second season with the Panthers, following his acquisition from the Bruins just before the NHL trade deadline last March. He has accumulated five goals and six assists over ten games this season, having last played on October 25 against the Vegas Golden Knights.

As of now, the Panthers hold a record of 5-5.