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Brad Marchand was overcome with emotion in his first trip back to Boston with the Panthers.
The Bruins played a tribute video for Marchand, who was dealt at the trade deadline last season, during Tuesday’s game, showing highlights from his 15-year run in Boston, which included a Stanley Cup win in 2011.
Marchand, 37, looked on from the Panthers’ bench as the tribute played on the TD Garden video board, and the emotions quickly got the best of him as he tried to fight back his feelings.
The veteran NHL forward hopped over the boards and raised his stick to salute the fans as he tried to remain composed, as the crowd at the Bruins’ home rink gave him a rousing applause.
Marchand was traded to the Panthers just before the trade deadline in March in a deal that brought a conditional second-round pick in 2027 to South Florida. He helped Florida win its second straight Stanley Cup and then signed a six-year contract to stay with the team.
The move was an emotional one, and that was evident on Tuesday.
“Obviously, I just want to thank you guys for a very incredible stint here,” Marchand said in a pregame interview with NESN when asked about a message to Bruins fans. “It’s been the best years of my [life].”
Marchand had to pause for a moment because he was becoming emotional.
“I just want to thank you guys for everything,” he said. “For the last 15 years, it’s been the best years of my life.”
Marchand recorded 422 goals and 976 points in 1,090 games with Boston. He’s played the fourth-most games in franchise history and is in fourth on the Bruins’ all-time goal scoring list.
He also ranks fifth in all-time points in franchise history.
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