‘I was blown away’: Brad Marchand takes part in Miracle Treat Day at N.S. Dairy Queen

Two-time Stanley Cup champion Brad Marchand causes a blizzard of activity at Miracle Treat Day.

Hockey superstar Brad Marchand was in his home province Thursday in support of local children’s hospitals.

The Florida Panthers centre and two-time Stanley Cup champion visited the Dairy Queen in Fall River, N.S., for Miracle Treat Day.

Net proceeds from every Blizzard Treat sold on Miracle Treat Day at participating DQ restaurants go to 12 children’s hospital foundations across Canada, including the IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

“I was very impressed, I was blown away,” said Marchand about the turnout at the Fall River Dairy Queen.

“I didn’t think there would be this kind of reception and this many people here, so I was pretty excited when I got here.”

Marchand is the national spokesperson for Miracle Treat Day this year and says, as a parent, the need to support children’s hospitals really hits home.

“When there are opportunities to be involved like this, especially with children’s charities… it means a lot the amount of children it is going to help across the country and the difference Dairy Queen is making,” says Marchand.

Marchand adds being able to interact with fans in his hometown is extra special.

“I really enjoy being a part of things back home in the Halifax area… To be able to do something like this is really special, it means a lot and I don’t take it for granted,” says Marchand.

“I was one of these kids a long time ago. I remember going to events and meeting some of the local Mooseheads players and just the impact that had on me, I’ll never forget that. I put myself in their shoes and I enjoy these moments of getting to meet fans, getting to meet kids in this area.”

One of the children Marchand met Thursday was Miracle Treat Day Ambassador Eric Mullins, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2017.

“It’s really fun because I get to come to places like this and see everyone and I get to have fun and make Blizzards,” says Mullins.

“I am a fan (of Marchand). I love all the stuff he has done for the IWK. It’s really cool to meet him in person.”

Being part of Miracle Treat Day seemed like a natural fit for Marchand, whose love of Blizzards became a much talked about topic during the 2025 NHL playoffs.

“We just kind of grew up like that, always loved stopping for an ice cream and as I got older it became my cheat-day treat. That’s what I would look forward to, I would train for a month and get a Blizzard on a Friday afternoon,” he says.

All funds raised at Thursday’s event will go to the IWK Health Centre.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Lamb.

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