BOSTON -- There was something different when the Bruins hit the ice for training camp at Warrior Ice Arena on Wednesday. Brad Marchand participated in his first full-contact practice instead of sporting the red non-contact jersey.
"I'm feeling good. It feels good to be out there without a non-contact jersey and be a part of full practice," Marchand said. "Hopefully, as things progress here, (I) can do a couple of games by the end of camp and feel good for the season."
The Bruins captain has been with the team since the beginning of training camp, but either he was not on the ice at the same time as the other skaters or wasn't able to participate fully because he was rehabbing from multiple offseason surgeries.
"Today wasn't in a red jersey, which is nice with his progression from recovering from the procedures he had this summer, but the first day you really felt (his impact), and it just continues," Boston coach Jim Montgomery said. "It's amazing how much energy and competitiveness he adds to practice all by himself."
Although Marchand took pride in his competitiveness during practice, he highlighted the team's mentality during on-ice workouts.
"I just love being out there, and I think one of the biggest things of our group is we're competitive in practice and tempos are usually high," Marchand said. "Especially in battle drills and the compete drills. That's where you want to show up. And there's always times for practice where maybe you're a little sore or tired and you're just trying to be clean in your reps, but in the compete drills, that's where we all want to step up. ... But I think we're all excited out there and looking forward to the season."
Competitiveness was on full display during the Bruins' two-on-two drills. Marchand was paired with Nikita Zadorov, and the duo scored on their very first drill. Marchand was smiling from ear to ear each time he was out on the ice with Zadorov.
"That's because we were dominating," Marchand teased. "Well, I wasn't, he was. It was a one-man show out there. That's part of it. We compete hard in practice, but we have fun too.
"When you're competing, there's a lot of pride, and when you're winning, you got to enjoy it. He was making it look real easy out there today, so I was riding his coattails. So, I got to give him props when it's due."
