‘We’re a family’: Marchand returns home to N.S. to guest coach after friend’s daughter dies of cancer

Florida Panthers hockey star and Nova Scotia native Brad Marchand came home Wednesday for a personal cause.

A celebration of life, community, and hockey was held at the Halifax Forum Wednesday night.

Florida Panthers hockey star and Nova Scotia native Brad Marchand came home to guest coach for the under-18 March and Mill Co. Hunters hockey team, which is based in Cole Harbour.

Hunters’ regular head coach JP MacCallum’s 10-year-old daughter Selah Panacci-MacCallum died last week after a “courageous battle” with cancer.

Marchand and MacCallum are close friends, and Marchand got permission from the Panthers to come home and show his support for the family, who are mourning the tragic loss.

“JP has been one of my closest friends since I was 12 years old. Him and his family, we’ve grown up together, there’s been a group of us that have been extremely tight, and we are all here tonight. We are supporting him and his family, and when you go back that long with somebody, that bond, we’re a family,” Marchand said.

The game also served as a Hockey Fights Cancer fundraiser and included a raffle for an autographed Marchand jersey.

Andrew Bodnarchuk, another lifelong friend of Marchand and MacCallum who plays professional hockey in Germany, also returned to Nova Scotia to offer support to a friend who has been there for him in the past.

“My dad passed away a couple of years ago, and that was sudden and not expected,” said Bodnarchuk. “This group of people stopped their lives to make sure that I was safe and secure.”

Those who attended the game said, when times are tough, the Nova Scotia community always comes together to make sure families know they are not alone.

“I’m not surprised, this is how we support everyone here in Nova Scotia,” said Nova Scotia U18 Major league president Paul Graham

“We care, and we have a special talent when it comes to helping people rise back up,” said Cole Harbour hockey parent Tony Mitchell.

Marchand missed Florida’s Tuesday night game against Anaheim to attend the event.

Coach Paul Maurice expects Marchand to be available when the team faces Dallas on Saturday.

With files from The Associated Press and CTV News’ Paul Hollingsworth

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