Brad Marchand Coaches Hockey Team in Memory of Friend’s Daughter

Florida Panthers player Brad Marchand recently took some time off to coach his friend’s under-18 hockey team in Canada. This gesture comes after a tragic loss, as his friend’s daughter, Sera McCallum, passed away at just 10 years old due to cancer.

Marchand went back to his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he co-owns the team, named the March and Mill Company Hunters. The game held special significance, functioning as a fundraiser for the McCallum family, featuring a raffle for a signed jersey by Marchand.

Posting on Instagram, Marchand expressed his gratitude, saying, “Let’s celebrate together a great night at the rink, made possible thanks to the continued donations of a 10-year-old girl who truly loves the game.”

Notably, Marchand missed the Panthers’ game against the Anaheim Ducks, but head coach Paul Maurice has indicated he anticipates Marchand will play in the upcoming matchup against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Having established himself as a fan favorite, Marchand spent the majority of his career—over 16 seasons—playing for the Boston Bruins, where he notably lifted the Stanley Cup in 2011. Following a less-than-stellar season, he was traded to the Panthers, who have recently made two consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Despite a rocky start this season, with the team currently sitting at 5-5-1, their recent home performance has been encouraging, standing at 4-1-1. Given their previous success, there’s cautious optimism about the remainder of the season.