Bruins name Marchand 27th captain in franchise history

The Boston Bruins weren't without a captain for long.

Beantown passed the "C" to Brad Marchand on Wednesday, making the forward the 27th captain in franchise history.

Marchand succeeds future Hall of Famer and longtime teammate Patrice Bergeron, who retired in July.

"It was surreal. Almost felt weird to see the jersey. ... The guys you see wearing the 'C' are the best to ever play the game," Marchand said, according to Boston.com's Conor Ryan. "And to look down at it and for it to be mine and to put it on - it was a different feeling."

He added: "It means more to me than I think anyone will ever know."

The 35-year-old has spent his entire 14-year NHL career in Beantown and has already cemented his place in the franchise's all-time record books, ranking sixth in goals (372), seventh in points (862), and eighth in games played (947). Marchand also sits fourth in game-winning goals (71) and is the organization's leader in overtime tallies (17).

Marchand won the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. His 128 points in 146 playoff games are the sixth-most among all active players.

"I am extremely proud of Brad and the hockey player he has become," Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs said in a statement. "Brad has been a Bruin for over 15 years and had the opportunity to learn from great leaders in Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron.

"He is ready for this opportunity and our whole team will learn from his competitive nature and tenacity. I am confident he will represent our organization with heart and grit."

Marchand has built up a reputation as a pest and agitator who doesn't shy away from on-ice shenanigans.

However, former Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said in August that Marchand would be his pick to take over the captaincy in Boston after watching him mature and evolve over the years.

"Brad will be a great leader in terms of leading by example, will to win, been there done it," he said.

The Bruins selected Marchand in the third round of the 2006 NHL Draft.

Bruins president Cam Neely said stud defenseman Charlie McAvoy and star sniper David Pastrnak will serve as alternate captains in 2023-24.