Bryan Marchment, a former NHL defenceman passed away at the age of 53

Bryan Marchment, a former NHL defenceman passed away at the age of 53

Bryan Marchment, a longtime scout for the San Jose Sharks and an NHL veteran, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 53, the team reported.

The Sharks said in a statement, “Bryan’s lifelong love of hockey was unparalleled, and he was amongst the most dedicated, physical, and fiercest players to ever play the game,”

Upon hearing of Bryan’s death, “We cannot put into words the heartbreak that we felt today upon hearing the news of Bryan’s passing,” said former Sharks owner Doug Wilson. Many people admired Bryan not only for the way he dealt with others, but also for his enthusiasm for life and hockey.

Marchment was in Montreal for the NHL Draft, agent Rick Curran confirmed to the Associated Press.

Marchment was a part of the Sharks organisation for nearly 20 years, both as a player and a scout. In his 17 years in the NHL, he played for eight different clubs, including the Oilers, Jets, and Blackhawks. He appeared in nearly 1,000 regular season and postseason games from 1988 to 2006.

Marchment was known for being a tough defender on the field. Over 2,300 penalty minutes were added to his record after he was suspended 13 times for hits that resulted in injuries to opponents.

“People think I hurt opponents on purpose,” Marchment told Sports Illustrated in 1998. ‘Not true. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want them to feel the hits. I want to make sure they feel them, because every time I hit somebody, I feel it.’

“But I don’t want people to think I’m a guy who wants to end somebody’s career. There’s not one guy in the league I don’t have respect for.”