The Boston Bruins saw a spark of renewed energy at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday as veteran superstar Brad Marchand participated in his first full-contact practice since his offseason surgeries. Shedding his red non-contact jersey, Marchand was eager to rejoin his teammates in full.
“I’m feeling great,” Marchand said. “It feels good to be out there without the non-contact jersey and fully participating in practice. Hopefully, if things keep progressing well, I can get in a couple of games before camp ends and be ready for the season.”
Although Marchand has been present since the start of training camp, his recovery limited him to either off-ice sessions or partial participation. His return to full-contact action has been a long-awaited moment for the Bruins, following multiple offseason procedures.
“Seeing him without the red jersey today was a great sign,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “From the first day he was back, you could feel his energy, but now you really see it. His competitiveness elevates everyone around him.”
Marchand, known for his fiery competitive spirit, praised the team’s high-intensity approach during practice sessions.
“I love being out there,” Marchand said. “One of the best things about our group is how competitive we are in practice. The tempo is always high, especially in battle and compete drills. That’s where you want to step up. Sure, there are times you’re tired or sore, and you focus on being sharp with your reps, but when it comes to competing, that’s where we all push each other.”
The intensity was clear during two-on-two drills, where Marchand teamed up with defenseman Nikita Zadorov. The duo scored on their first attempt, and Marchand was all smiles, joking about their chemistry.
“We were dominating out there,” Marchand laughed. “Well, I wasn’t—Zadorov was. He put on a one-man show, and I was just riding along. But that’s the fun of it. We compete hard, and when you’re winning, you’ve got to enjoy it. He made it look easy today, so I’ve got to give him credit.”
Marchand’s return has given the Bruins a much-needed boost as they gear up for the upcoming
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