Boston Bruins veteran Brad Marchand is looking forward to representing Canada in the Four Nations Clash next month.
Aged 36, the winger will wear the Maple Leaf for the third time and will have the opportunity to do so alongside two hockey superstars from Nova Scotia: Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon.
“We talked about it a lot,” Marchand told The Athletic. “We have a focus group. We’re very excited. It’s a privilege to play with these guys on the same team. We practiced together and had a lot of fun this summer.
“It’s not every day you get to create a dynamic like this. We’re really excited and proud. We can’t wait to play together.”
MacKinnon, who recorded 14 goals and 52 assists in 41 games for the Colorado Avalanche this season, shares Marchand’s enthusiasm.
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Battle of the Four Nations: Brad Marchand delighted to share the ice with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon
“I’m really excited to play with everyone, especially Brad and Sid,” said MacKinnon, who has 140 points in 2023-24. “These are two idols who made me believe in my dream of reaching the NHL. They are two of the most competitive players in the league. We are lucky to have them on Team Canada.”
Marchand and Crosby represented Canada at the World Cup in 2016, the last competition where players from around the world competed. NHL players were absent from the last two editions of the Winter Olympics.
“It’s going to be great to play with them. We skated together this summer and I’m really grateful to be able to play on the same team as them,” said Crosby, who has 11 goals and 31 assists in 41 games this season. , his 20th with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Marchand scored five goals and added three assists in six games at the World Cup, helping Canada win the gold medal. He was also part of the team that won the summit at the World Championships a few months before.
The Clash of the Four Nations begins on February 12, with Canada facing Sweden at the Bell Centre. The country will then face the United States on February 15 at the Bell Center and Finland on February 17 at TD Garden in Boston.
The top two teams in the standings will then face off in the final on February 20 at TD Garden.
