HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Brad Marchand is stepping away from the Florida Panthers to help a friend whose daughter died last week of cancer.
Marchand, 37, is serving as a guest coach Wednesday night for the under-18 March and Mill Co. Hunters in his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in place of friend JP MacCallum. Marchand is a co-owner of the team.
The game is a fundraiser for the family after the loss of 10-year-old Selah Panacci-MacCallum and includes a raffle for an autographed Marchand jersey.
“Please join us in celebrating an amazing night at the rink made possible by the ongoing giving nature of a 10 year-old girl that loved the game with all her (heart),” Marchand posted on Instagram.
Paul Graham, the league president, lauded the move by Marchand.
“This gesture reflects the true spirit of the hockey community in Nova Scotia, one built on compassion, loyalty, and connection that extends far beyond the rink,” Graham said in a statement, according to The Chronicle Herald. “Our thoughts are with J.P., his loved ones, and the entire Hunters organization.”
Panacci-MacCallum passed away last Friday following a year-long battle with cancer.
Marchand missed Florida’s game Tuesday night against Anaheim. Coach Paul Maurice expects Marchand to be available when the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions face Dallas on Saturday.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Marchand is in his second season with the Panthers after being moved by the Bruins ahead of the NHL trade deadline in March.
He had played his entire career in Boston after being drafted by the club in 2006.
Through 10 games, Marchand has scored five goals and tallied six assists.
He last played on Oct. 25, a 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Panthers are currently 5-5.
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