Brad Marchand Takes A Shot At Mark Stone

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Austin Sabourin
September 29, 2023 (3:59 PM)

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Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand can understand why Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone reacted strongly to a contentious hit he endured during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings. However, when discussing the incident that has captured the NHL's attention for the past two days, Marchand expressed more empathy for the journeyman, Hayden Hodgson.

Marchand acknowledged,

"I wouldn't be happy just because you don't ever want to get hit like that, regardless of whether he's an NHL player or not. But at the same time, that's how every guy had to play to get into the NHL. You're out there to do a job, trying to make an impression and steal someone's career. So, if you think you're going to go out there and not get hit, it doesn't matter who you are; you have to be ready to play every single night."

He continued,

"I understand that guys don't like getting hit preseason because they're worried about � a guy like him, he's making a lot of money, he's on a very long-term deal; he knows he's going to be on the team, and he's been a little bit injury-ridden so he wants to get into the season and do well and focus on that."

Marchand's own path to the NHL wasn't solely paved with skill. He joined the Boston Bruins training camp in 2007, standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 170 pounds. It took two more camps and 113 games in the AHL with the Providence Bruins before Marchand finally earned a spot on the NHL roster during the 2009-10 season. At that time, he was recognized more for his scrappy play than his superstar talent.

Reflecting on his early career, Marchand said,

"It's easy to get comfortable in this league when you've been around for a while, and I understand both sides, but when you're out there, there's going to be kids trying to make it, but yeah if I get hit like that, I would probably react the same way."

When asked if he would publicly criticize a player's career status as Mark Stone did, Marchand commented,

"It depends on the situation. If it was dirty or not; I thought that was a clean hit. But again, I was that kid one time, and I was doing that same stuff in intra-squad games, so I don't feel bad doing it to guys on opposing teams. So, that's part of the gig. It has kind of left the game a little bit because they're trying to get physicality out of hockey, but there's still kids that are going to do it. So, if you get comfortable out there not getting hit, it's going to happen at some point, but we're in training camp, and like I said, to make a team out of camp, you need to steal someone's job, which is ultimately someone's career, and you're not going to let that happen easily so regardless of whether it's intrasquad, or practice, or during games, you're going to get everybody's best, and everyone's highest compete. If you're not, then those guys don't deserve to be here."

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