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Brad Marchand Sends 'Odd' Message After Panthers Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Mar 29, 2025 7:45 AM ET

Brad Marchand spent 15 seasons and a half wearing the Boston Bruins' sweater and appearing in more than 1,100 games before pulling on a Florida Panthers jersey for the first time on Friday night.

After assisting Sam Bennett's overtime winner to seal a 2–1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club, Marchand admitted it was strange being embraced by the Panthers fanbase that had treated him as a villain for years.

"It was odd when I stepped on the ice," Marchand said after the game. "That was the first time it kind of hit me. Going out there and being cheered by Panthers fans was a lot different.

"But it's a great feeling."

Marchy to Benny, it’s a Cats thing pic.twitter.com/5bCRAnh4p5
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 29, 2025

The 36-year-old winger, who arrived in Florida three weeks ago, hadn't played due to an upper-body injury.

Marchand made an immediate impact by delivering a pass from behind the net, setting up Bennett’s game-winning goal.

“(Marchand) hasn’t played for a month now and he steps right in and is dominating and controlling the game,” Bennett said. “That’s tough to do in your first game back, especially on a new team."

Coach Paul Maurice was impressed by Marchand's debut, and so was netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.

“(Marchand) makes a lot of small-area plays in traffic and corners that are really hard to do. His hands are fantastic,” Maurice said.

“He’s a winner, so he knows what it takes to win,” Bobrovsky said.

With the victory, the Panthers (44-25-3) moved atop the Atlantic Division standings with 91 points, edging the Toronto Maple Leafs (43-25-4) by one point.

Florida will next face the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday, with 10 games remaining on their regular-season schedule.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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