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Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand stepped away from the NHL this week to help a Nova Scotia friend who lost his daughter to cancer.
Marchand went behind the bench as guest head coach of the Halifax under-18 hockey team, March and Mill Co. Hunters, for his friend JP MacCallum, reports
. MacCallum’s 10-year-old daughter, Selah, died last Friday from cancer.
Marchand’s outdoor apparel company, March & Mill Company,
. And he has been friends with MacCallum since they were 12 years old.
The Wednesday night game was a fundraiser for the family. It included a raffle for an
, reports TSN.
“This gesture reflects the true spirit of the hockey community in Nova Scotia, one built on compassion, loyalty, and connection that extends far beyond the rink,” said Nova Scotia U18 Major Hockey League president Paul Graham, NHL.com reported. “Our thoughts are with J.P., his loved ones, and the entire Hunters organization.”
Before the game, Marchand spoke about losing Selah, as well as the bond he has had with his longtime friend, in an interview with
.
“She loved being part of this organization and team and her Dad. She’d be proud of us being here tonight supporting her and supporting her Dad.”
Nothing is stronger than the hockey community ❤️
Brad Marchand is coaching a U18 team tonight in support of his friend and trainer JP MaCullum, whose daughter passed away to cancer. pic.twitter.com/Nu4QsMu8Gu
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 29, 2025
Marchand then took his place behind the bench.
In a video posted after the game, Marchand said Selah was, “an incredible girl, full of so much love and it was an honour to be in her life and know her.”
Brad Marchand opens up in an emotional video about why he recently stepped away from the #NHL.#nhlbruins #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/pwzAimtf67
— Hockey Patrol (@HockeyPatrol) October 30, 2025
“Selah loved hockey. She loved her dad’s team more than
anything.
She loved going to the games. She was always there supporting them,” Marchand said. “We’ve known her since the day she was born, we’ve loved her since then. Selah would have loved nothing more than to see us behind that bench together.”
Marchand also pointed toward the family’s
, organized to support the McCallum family, urging fans to donate.
Multiple NHL figures have shown support for the family through their donations, including Colorado Avalanche forward, Nathan MacKinnon, who gave $2,790, reports
.
Several fans have also shown their support. B.C. oncologist and researcher,
, wrote in an Oct. 29 X post, “
As a Canucks fan I hated Marchand. As a pediatric cancer doc I then saw what he did for one of my patients during her treatment (and it wasn’t a one time thing — he kept supporting her over years and had her and family attend every game he played in town). He is an amazing human.”
As a Canucks fan I hated Marchand. As a pediatric cancer doc I then saw what he did for one of my patients during her treatment (and it wasn’t a one time thing – he kept supporting her over years and had her and family attend every game he played in town). He is an amazing human.
— Dr Rod 🇨🇦 (@RodMakeKidsBald) October 30, 2025
Marchand will rejoin the Panthers for their game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday.
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