On Tuesday night, Brad Marchand returned to TD Garden for the first time since the Boston Bruins traded him to the Florida Panthers in March.
The move worked out for Marchand, who helped lead the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup title over the Edmonton Oilers in June.
The 37-year-old winger signed a six-year contract extension with Florida in July, essentially guaranteeing that he’ll retire with Florida. However, he’s still grateful for his time in Boston after spending 16 seasons with the Bruins and playing over 1,000 games for them.
Before Tuesday’s big homecoming, an emotional Marchand shared a heartfelt message for Boston fans.
“I just want to thank you guys for everything for the last 15 years. It’s been the best years of my life,” Marchand told NESN on Monday.
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The four-time All-Star had an incredible run with the Bruins after debuting with them in 2009, leading them to a championship in 2011 and two more Stanley Cup Finals appearances after that.
Not only was he one of the team’s best players for over a decade, but he was also a captain and a respected leader. A durable and hard-nosed player, he represented the team’s toughness and physicality to a T.
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While the Halifax native no longer plays for Boston, he’s unquestionably one of the best players in Bruins history. He amassed nearly 1,000 points during his time with Boston, and it’s only a matter of time before the franchise retires his No. 63 and hangs it from the rafters in TD Garden.
