Bryan Marchment, a dreaded executioner who played nearly 1,000 NHL games over 17 seasons and father of Florida Panthers striker Mason, has died.
The march turned 53 years old.
Marchment was an amateur explorer with the San Jose Sharks, a team he played with most of his NHL career, and was in Montreal preparing for the upcoming NHL Draft when he died.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito said from his team’s headquarters in Montreal.
“Obviously our thoughts and prayers go to Mason and his family … it’s horrible and I can’t express our prayers and thoughts enough. It definitely puts this game in perspective. I met Bryan a couple of times, I didn’t really know him, but the world (of hockey) here is shocked. Many at GM meetings had such beautiful things to say about Bryan. “
Mason Marchment has spent part of the last three seasons with the Panthers after being acquired in a trade with Toronto in 2020.
This year he had an outstanding season with Florida, scoring 18 goals with 47 points in 54 games.
Pending free agent, the Panthers are working with Mason on a new contract, though he could sign with another team next week.
In March, Mason Marchment visited San Jose as a player for the first time when the Panthers faced the Sharks.
Speaking to Florida Hockey Now, Bryan Marchment talked about his son’s development and the long road it took to reach the NHL.
Mason Marchment was not selected after starting to play hockey much later than his contemporaries.
But he worked hard in the game, and it paid off.
“By far, it’s gotten much further than I thought,” Bryan Marchment said.
“I’m very proud of him.”
NHL informant Kevin Weekes was the first to report Marchment’s death.
This story will be updated