Panthers star steps away from team to coach friend’s youth hockey team for heartbreaking reason

Florida Panthers star Brad Marchand stepped away from the team to serve as a guest coach for his friend’s under-18 hockey team in Canada after his friend’s daughter died of cancer. JP MacCallum’s daughter Selah was 10 years old.

Marchand traveled back to his hometown of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to train the March and Mill Co. Hunters, which he co-owns.

The game served as a fundraiser for the MacCallum family and featured a raffle for an autographed Marchand jersey.

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Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand skates against the Boston Bruins during the first period at TD Garden. (Winslow Townson/Image Images)

“Join us as we celebrate an incredible night on the rink, made possible by the generous nature of a 10-year-old girl who loved the game with all her (heart),” Marchand posted on Instagram.

Marchand missed Florida’s game Tuesday night against the Anaheim Ducks. Head coach Paul Maurice said he expects Marchand to be available when the back-to-back defending Stanley Cup champions face the Dallas Stars on Saturday.

Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand, who played for more than 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins, touches his heart in recognition of a standing ovation during a break in the first period in Boston on Oct. 21, 2025. (Charles Krupa/AP Photo)

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Marchand quickly became a fan favorite in Florida after spending most of his first 16 seasons with the Boston Bruins. In New England, he won a Stanley Cup in 2011. However, in the midst of a mediocre season, Boston traded its longtime mainstay to Florida, which had been to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals.

Florida Panthers left wing Brad Marchand, center, who played for more than 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins, reacts during a break in the first period in Boston on Oct. 21, 2025. (Charles Krupa/AP Photo)

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The 37-year-old fit right in, scoring two overtime goals, including one in double overtime in Game 2 of the finals against the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers had won the first game in overtime, but with Marchand’s help, Florida ended up winning the series in six games.

Florida has struggled from the start, going 5-5-1 in its first 11 games. But the team is 4-1-1 at home and based on recent history, there’s no reason to count it out.

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