Boston Bruins: Brad Marchand belongs in Boston

The Boston Bruins winger penned a piece for The Players Tribune that proves that he was born to play in Boston.

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand is a polarizing figure. Like a lot of things in today’s world you either love him or hate him. After reading Marchand’s great story on The Players Tribune it is hard to not take a step back off the ledge of hate.

A born talent

Marchand talks about his humble upbringing and his challenges as a hockey player. He developed his aggravating style of play because he needed to get noticed. He even admits that he was never the best player on his youth hockey teams. So Marchand evolved and his new style of play made heads turn.

"“During the game, the kid took a run at my brother, and he smoked him. For as much as we’d mess with one another at home, if you ever hurt my brother, it was like a red light went off inside me. I’d fight you. My dad was one of our coaches, and he tapped me and my three buddies on the shoulder and said, “Next shift, I want every one of you to take a run at that kid every time he touches the puck.” So we went out, and every time the kid touched the puck, one of us took a run. He got so pissed off that he took a slashing penalty right at the end of his shift, and we got a power play. We ended up scoring the game-winning goal with him in the box, and I kind of had this realization like, “OK … if I have a 0.01% chance, this might be one way of getting people to notice me.”"

This scrappy, aggravating, and sometimes controversial style of play seemed to come naturally to Marchand. Especially if you ask his mom.

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"“My mom likes to say that I came out of the womb “mischievous.” I just liked the feeling of messing with other kids. I liked getting under their skin and making them react.”"

Marchand believes that his mischief got him noticed by junior teams and eventually the Boston Bruins.

Built for Boston

This style of play is something that Bruins fans love. He is a scrappy guy who leaves everything he has on the ice.

As Marchand made his way to the big club he gained popularity amongst the fans and he seems very grateful for his welcome to the Bruins.

"“The way the city embraced me that year was incredible. To come in as a fourth-line guy who was expected to draw penalties and kill penalties, and basically do whatever I could do to make guys want to punch me in the face — and then to win the Seventh Player Award that was voted on by the fans, and to feel all the love I felt from everybody, it made me want to run through a wall for Boston.”"

Now even though Boston loves Marchand, he seems to be hated almost everywhere else. He is viewed as a dirty player who isn’t worthy of any praise. Marchand tries to focus on the love more than the hate.

"The way the city embraced me that year was incredible. To come in as a fourth-line guy who was expected to draw penalties and kill penalties, and basically do whatever I could do to make guys want to punch me in the face — and then to win the Seventh Player Award that was voted on by the fans, and to feel all the love I felt from everybody, it made me want to run through a wall for Boston."

Now no matter what your thoughts are on his style of play, it is hard to deny that he is one of the best players in the league. He has consistently put up 30 goals these last few years. He has a wicked wrist shot and some of the best hands in the league.

A fan favorite

The entire piece is a great read and makes Marchand hard to hate. He is my favorite player because he is a pest. He gets under people’s skin but is also able to score. Also, Marchand is an underdog who even though he may not have had the most talent, he played the game with the most heart. Now he is one of the best players in the NHL.

Marchand has proven that he is here to stay. He is one of the deadliest scorers in the league. He may have his antics, but Marchand is one of the most talented wingers in the NHL.

Next: Patrice Bergeron will win his 5th Selke Award

Marchand has proven that he is here to stay. He is one of the deadliest scorers in the league. He may have his antics, but Marchand is one of the most talented wingers in the NHL.

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