As the 2023-2024 Boston Bruins begin a new era without the presence of Patrice Bergeron in their locker room, forward Brad Marchand is far from interested in the possibility of taking on the role of club captain.
After replacing Zdeno Chara as the team’s official leader prior to the 2020-2021 season, Bergeron announced his retirement this summer. Should the organization fail to name his successor, it will play a first season without a captain since 2001–2002 shortly before the appointment of Joe Thornton. Many observers also believe that Marchand, a veteran who won the Stanley Cup in the spring of 2011, has the background to wear the letter “C” on his jersey. He has also been an assistant captain for the past five years.
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However, number 63 has other priorities in mind.
“It’s not a case that I think about much. “It would certainly be an honor to be at the top of this team’s leadership group, especially given those who have been there before,” he told the media on Tuesday, as broadcast on the Bruins’ X account. We’ve always done the work together, so it’s a group affair no matter who does it. Even the people who don’t have a letter stand up several times during the campaign.”
At 35 years old, the former Quebec Major Junior Hockey League player is still well entrenched in Boston, where he made his debut in 2009-2010. His eight-year, $49 million contract ends in 2025.