Brad Marchand Steps Away From Panthers to Coach for Friend

When he’s not being a menace on the ice, Brad Marchand is usually busy being a class act off it.

Marchand took a leave of absence from the Florida Panthers and returned home to Halifax, Nova Scotia to serve as a guest coach for the March & Mill Co. Hunters, a U-18 hockey team he co-owns with former Bruins teammate Kevan Miller. The team is named after their outdoor apparel line.

He’s doing this in honor of his longtime friend and trainer J.P. MacCallum, whose family was recently struck with tragedy. MacCallum’s 10-year-old daughter, Selah, sadly passed away from cancer last week.

Marchand took it upon himself to help a friend in need. Alongside his old junior teammate Andrew Bodnarchuk, he coached the Hunters’ game on Wednesday against the Halifax Macs as a tribute to Selah Pancci-MacCallum.

The 37-year-old left winger missed Panthers practice and their game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 28 to be there for MacCallum, who took time off to grieve.

The game doubled as a fundraiser, featuring a raffle for an autographed Marchand jersey and a donation box to support the MacCallum family.

“There’s no place that I’d be other than here right now,” Marchand said in a pregame interview. “I’m here to support him and his family, and I think this is something, this night here, that Selah would have absolutely loved. That’s why we’re doing it.”

“She would be very proud we are all here supporting her tonight and supporting her dad. It’ll be a special memory for us.”

Nova Scotia U-18 Major Hockey League president Paul Graham praised the gesture: “This reflects the true spirit of the hockey community in Nova Scotia, one built on compassion, loyalty, and connection that extends far beyond the rink.”

Marchand is expected to rejoin the Panthers for their game Saturday against the Dallas Stars.