In his selection to represent Canada at the upcoming World Cup of Hockey, Brad Marchand cracked the most competitive, formidable roster the sport can offer.
And now he's out to show why.
Shortly after he was officially tabbed Friday, Marchand said he was incredibly honored to have been chosen to wear the red and white - and, on a more personal level, acknowledged the opportunity he has to show hockey circles that he's matured in his profession and really is among the game's elite.
"It's something that I think we all take a lot of pride in, and something that is - it's not an easy accomplishment," Marchand said, according to CSN's Joe Haggerty.
He added, "I think being part of a team like this is on a different level, and people may give a little more respect to that fact and may look at more of the kind of player I am, other than just the stuff they've seen in the past, with the hits and being a pest and stuff like that. Maybe those people will realize that I'm an OK hockey player, and I do play the game as well."
Though he might still feel stigmatized for his previous transgressions - which include suspensions, dives, and myriad cheap shots - Marchand's latest stat sheet should be validation enough. He scored the second-most goals among Canadians this season and emerged as a truly dominant defensive winger at even strength, as well as on the penalty kill in tandem with fellow national Patrice Bergeron.
