*Photo from NBC Sports*
The transition is happening in Beantown. The Boston Bruins announced on Wednesday that forward Brad Marchand has been appointed as the team's next captain.
Marchand said of becoming captain that "I am extremely proud and honored. It means more to me than I think anyone will ever know to be able to wear a 'C' for this team. When you look at the leaders that have been here before me and the guys that I've been fortunate enough to be under, they take an incredible amount of pride. Everything that they can possibly lead into this team, they do. It's been incredible to see, but I see the work that goes into it, and I really believe that I've witnessed two of the best leaders of all time being in this organization."
Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, who was their captain for the previous 3 seasons, retired over the offseason, leaving the Bruins without a captain. That didn't last long, as Marchand, who was an alternate under both Bergeron and Zdeno Chara, takes over the captaincy.
Marchand becomes the franchise's 27th captain. In Bruins history, he ranks 6th overall in goals, 7th in points, 8th in games played, 9th in assists, 4th in game winning goals, and first in overtime goals. Marchand won the Stanley Cup in 2010-2011 with the Bruins.
Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said that "I am extremely proud of Brad and the hockey player he has become. Brad has been a Bruin for over 15 years and had the opportunity to learn from great leaders in Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron. He is ready for this opportunity and our whole team will learn from his competitive nature and tenacity. I am confident he will represent our organization with heart and grit."
Last season was Marchand's 14th with the Bruins. He had another successful season, potting 21 goals and adding 46 assists for 67 points, posting a +27 rating while averaging 18:32 of ice time in 73 regular season games. He had 4 goals and 6 assists in 7 playoff games.
Bruins GM Don Sweeney said of Marchand that "I think we've crossed organizationally by committee, leadership down, not to rest on anyone's shoulders, although Brad is well prepared to be in this position and I think he would be the first to tell you it's a privilege to be named captain and follow in the footsteps of somebody that he was very close with and learned from and I think you'll take a lot from these experiences that he's spent with Zdeno and Patrice and then he'll be his own person."
All 14 seasons Marchand has spent in the league have been with the Bruins, who drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2006 draft. He has 372 goals and 490 assists to his name, averaging 17:55 of ice time in 947 regular season games. He has an additional 53 goals and 75 assists in 146 playoff games.
With Marchand becoming the captain, the Bruins also announced that forward David Pastrnak and defenseman Charlie McAvoy, who were rotating alternate captains last season, will be the full time alternates aside Marchand.
Comments
Post a Comment