Brad Marchand Jokingly Emulates Bruins Coach In Bench Debut

BOSTON — Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand pulled double duty for the Black and Gold on Saturday.

The pesky forward helped the B’s secure two points in Boston’s overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers earlier in the day. Then, later in the evening, Marchand traded in his skates and pads for a three-piece suit to help Bruins legend Tim Thomas coach the Alumni team.

The Bruins Alumni Association stacked their lineup with players from the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team against the Warrior For Life Fund at Warrior Ice Arena on Saturday night.

“It was different. It’s always more fun being in the play,” Marchand told NESN.com. “Especially with that group where we don’t get to get together very often. But it was so incredible to be a part of that and just to be here and see what they’re putting on.

“It was a much different feeling back there (on the bench). I mean, you’re still part of it, and you’re still in the mix, and see the energy and emotion is still there behind the bench so it was fun. It was fun to go through that.”

Ironically, Marchand was on the bench while current Bruins assistant coach Chris Kelly skated in the game with the alumni.

“I was trying to emulate his coaching style, where he’s just mumbling under his breath about how terrible I am every shift,” Marchand joked about Kelly.

Even though Marchand said there wasn’t much coaching involved, the Bruins Alumni defeated Warrior Fund For Life, 9-5.

Before the puck was dropped on the Nathan Hardy Memorial Game, Marchand joined the Bruins Alumni and Warrior For Life Fund lineup at center ice for a picture with the Stanley Cup. Marchand took the opportunity to sit on Patrice Bergeron’s leg for the photo. Marchand admitted it was not planned.

“You know, when I see his knee like that, it’s a force of habit that that’s where I’m going to sit,” Marchand explained. “But, yeah, I feel like that was the only place to go in that situation.”

Marchand will have to put his coaching skills on hold and focus on the Bruins’ upcoming road trip. Boston will travel to Western Canada for five games, beginning Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.