Marchand Leaves Panthers for Funeral, Aids Fundraiser

Brad Marchand, 37, temporarily stepped away from the Florida Panthers to return to his hometown of Halifax after the death of longtime friend and trainer J.P. MacCallum’s 10-year-old daughter Selah, who died following a year-long battle with cancer. In Halifax, Marchand — a co-owner of the March & Mill Co. Hunters junior team — served as a guest coach alongside former NHLer Andrew Bodnarchuk at a tribute game that doubled as a fundraiser for the family, with online raffles (including a signed Marchand jersey) and a GoFundMe that had raised more than $100,000. The Hunters dedicated the season to Selah and established a bursary in her name. The Panthers confirmed Marchand missed at least one game to attend the funeral and expected he would be available for the team's upcoming Saturday matchup with the Dallas Stars; Marchand posted messages thanking supporters and asking for help for the family.