BROSSARD, Quebec — Brad Marchand and Bruce Cassidy have each come a long way since their first season together 16 years ago.
Back then Marchand was young (20) and still trying to balance his considerable skill, his agitator play and his occasional tendency to let his competitive emotion overwhelm his better judgment.
Cassidy was rebuilding his NHL career. After flaming out of his first stint as a head coach in Washington, he spent a year as an assistant coach with the Blackhawks followed by two years coaching in high-level junior hockey.
They spent two seasons together in Providence starting in 2008 and later seven more in Boston when Cassidy was the Bruins head coach from 2016-22.
Now, 16 seasons after their first year together, Marchand is an established star nearing the end of his career at 36. Cassidy is two seasons removed from leading the Vegas Golden Knights to the 2023 Stanley Cup and is one of the league’s most respected coaches. They’re together again for Team Canada in the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.
Like back in Providence, Marchand isn’t a star here on a loaded Canadian team and Cassidy is an assistant on Jon Cooper’s staff.
They’ve enjoyed catching up.
“I mean I’ve kept in touch with him throughout the years and yeah, it’s it’s nice to nice to be with him again here,” Marchand said. “I’ve talked to Butchy a lot during this. Butchy and I had a great relationship. I had him for a long time, the minors. We got along great. I never had any issues with him.”
For all of the teammate-vs.-teammate matchups that have gotten plenty of attention, the NHL 4 Nations Face-Off has also been a tournament of reunions. The hockey world is small, so former youth, junior college and professional teammates are reuniting in their country’s colors for two weeks.
Cassidy marveled at how far Marchand has come. On a Canada team with a lot of quieter and younger superstars, Marchand has a big personality and extensive experience.
“I always enjoyed my time with him, known him a long time. I started working together when he was just a young fellow, so it’s good,” said Cassidy, who was both surprised and not at Marchand’s rise to a Team Canada leader. “Yes, when you think of where we started, but I’m not surprised after being close to him all those years, I mean this is something he’s wanted and put the time in for. He’s had to come to these camps and outplay people. That’s him, he’s competitive. Now in the moment, we need guys like him. That’s been such a void of that. You need some guys that have been around. I think it’s good for the room. It can’t always be just Sid, right?”
Making Team Canada at 36 after many of the players in his draft class are either out of the NHL or no longer elite is another line on Marchand’s growing legacy.
Cassidy said he doesn’t know if Marchand will eventually be in the Hockey Hall of Fame, but he thinks he should be.
“I do. I’m obviously partial, and biased and very loyal to him. I don’t know what the measurables are exactly,” Cassidy said. “I mean he’s won in the NHL, he’s won internationally. I certainly think there’s an argument for it.”
Marchand is already the active leader in shorthanded goals and among the career leaders in game-winning goals. He’s 27 points shy of 1,000 in his career. Another solid season or two combined with making the Olympics next year could help shore up his chances.
“Certainly Marshy’s name should be in there,” Cassidy said.
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