BOSTON — As a lifelong Panthers fan, Blake Freedland spent years rooting against the Bruins and Brad Marchand, but admitted the forward was always a player he’d gladly welcome.
“I always said to Bruins fans, ‘I hate him more than any player. But if we had him one day, he’d be my favorite player,” Freedland told MassLive.
In the Bruins first home game since the Bruins captain was traded, there were hundreds of Marchand jerseys in the stands, but two stood out among them..
Sitting against the glass from the visiting bench were Freedland and a friend — two Panthers fans who donned Marchand’s new sweater before the veteran forward put on his new threads. They were surrounded by fans in black and gold.
It was a quick turnaround for Freedland, who knew right away he wanted a Marchand jersey after the former Bruins captain was traded to their playoff rival.
Freedland got the jersey Saturday. Knowing he was attending Tuesday’s game between the Bruins and the Panthers, he called his dad and asked if it were possible to get a Marchand jersey to make Tuesday’s game a little more fun.
His dad was able to make it happen and got the jerseys pressed at Amerant Bank Arena.
Wearing gear of the visiting team — especially of a hated rival — often leads to chirps from home fans. But everything Freedland heard was lighthearted from Bruins fans.
Freedland and his friend wore the jerseys despite Marchand not playing in Tuesday’s game. Though the 36-year-old practiced that morning, he’s still a few weeks away from a return due to an upper-body injury suffered on March 1.
Despite the Panthers’ 3-2 loss to the Bruins, Freedland still enjoyed watching his team play and is excited that Marchand’s return is imminent.
The Florida native who attends Tufts University is happy to not root against Marchand for the time being, especially with the playoffs approaching as the Panthers look to repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
“He’s a beast in the playoffs,” Freedland said. “I’m so happy to have him. … A mad Marchand is a bad Marchand to play against.”
While Marchand could end up being a rental for Florida — he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season — Freedland’s Marchand jersey will get plenty of wear as he plans to playoff games — both in Florida and on the road — once they begin.
It’s also a jersey that will remain in his collection regardless of where Marchand ends up.
“I’ll keep it forever,” Freedland said.
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