For proud coach of the Captain of Bruins’ arc while they meet in 4 nations

Brossard, Quebec – Brad Marchand and Bruce Cassidy Each one has traveled a long way from their first season together 16 years ago.

At that time, Marchand was young (20) and still tried to balance his considerable skill, his game of agitators and his occasional tendency to let his competitive emotion overwhelm his best judgment.

Cassidy was rebuilding his career in the NHL. After leaving his first period as a chief coach in Washington, he spent a year as an assistant coach with the Blackhawks, followed by two years of high -level junior hockey training.

Two seasons passed together in providence from 2008 and then seven more in Boston when Cassidy was the Bruins Chief coach of 2016-22.

Now, 16 seasons after his first year together, Marchand is an established star that approaches at the end of his career at 36. Cassidy is two seasons eliminated from taking the Las Vegas Golden Knights to the Stanley 2023 Cup and it is One of the most respected coaches in the League. They are together again for the Canada team in the NHL 4 nations facing.

As in Providence, Marchand is not a star here in a loaded Canadian team and Cassidy is an assistant of Jon Cooper staff.

They have enjoyed catching up.

“I mean, I have kept in touch with him over the years and yes, it is good to be with him to be with him again,” Marchand said. “I’ve talked a lot with Butchy during this. Butchy and I had a great relationship. I had it for a long time, minors. We get along very well. I never had any problem with him. “

For all the clashes of teammates-VS.-Teammate who have received close attention, the NHL 4 nations facing It has also been a meeting tournament. The hockey world is small, so former teammates, university and professionals are gathering in the colors of their country for two weeks.

Cassidy marveled at how far Marchand has arrived. In a team in Canada with many calmer and younger superstars, Marchand has a great personality and extensive experience.

“I always enjoyed my time with him, I met him a long time. I started working together when I was just a young man, so it’s good, “said Cassidy, who was surprised and not in the rise of Marchand to a leader of the Canada team.” Yes, when you think where we start, but it is not surprised After being close to him all those years, I mean that this is something he wanted and spends time. It has had to come to these fields and overcome people. That is him, he is competitive. Now at the time, we need guys like him. That has been a vacuum of that. You need some boys who have existed. I think it’s good for the room. It can’t always be only, right?

Making Canada’s team at 36 after many of the players in their Draft class are out of the NHL or is no longer another line in the growing Legacy of Marchand.

Cassidy said he doesn’t know if Marchand will eventually be in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but he thinks he should be.

“Yes. I am obviously partial, partial and very loyal to him. I don’t know which are exactly the measurable,” said Cassidy. “I mean he has won in the NHL, he has won internationally. I certainly think there is an argument for it.”

Marchand is already the active leader in short objectives and among the career leaders in the winning goals of the game. He has 27 points of 1,000 in his career. Another solid season or two combined to make the Olympic Games next year could help underpin their possibilities.

“Certainly, Marshy’s name should be there,” said Cassidy.

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