Brad Marchand, apart from his fabulous skills on ice, is known for his wit. He brought laughter to the Florida Panthers’ Stanley Cup victory parade on Sunday in Fort Lauderdale with a playful jab at his teammate Sam Bennett.
Standing before a cheering crowd, Marchand took a moment to reflect on his journey and the joy of winning another championship, but this time, alongside former rivals.
Brad Marchand Has Not Forgotten Sam Bennett’s Punch
“So I got a lot to say. This has been unbelievable,” Marchand began during his speech. “I never could have imagined being part of something so special. I’m so happy that I don’t have to play against these guys anymore. And I’m so happy I don’t have to worry about getting knocked out by Benny anymore.”
Marchand referred to a memorable incident during last year’s playoff series between the Bruins and the Panthers. Bennett landed a punch on Marchand, sidelining the Bruins winger for critical games.
Brad Marchand is just happy to not be getting knocked out by Sam Bennett anymore 😂 pic.twitter.com/GBZz1AcLPc
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) June 22, 2025
Now, a year later, the two players are on the same side, having helped Florida capture their second consecutive championship. The 36-year-old Marchand joined the Panthers via trade from the Bruins in March after spending 16 seasons in Boston and winning the Stanley Cup in 2011. Despite the sudden move, he has adjusted quickly and become a key figure in Florida’s latest playoff run.
This postseason, Marchand put up impressive numbers: 10 goals and 20 points in 23 games. Meanwhile, Bennett was a force throughout the playoffs, finishing with 15 goals and 22 points in the same number of games. His efforts earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player of the postseason.
The Panthers won their second straight championship their way, just like they had all season long. On the road to the title, they took down the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games, outlasted the Toronto Maple Leafs in seven, handled the Carolina Hurricanes in five, and finally defeated the Edmonton Oilers in six games.
Throughout their playoff run, they heard plenty of criticism and trash talk from opposing fan bases. But during their celebration, the message from the players was clear: they’ve heard the noise; they just don’t care. They stayed focused on each other, their team, and their goal.
Panthers are celebrating the way they know best, taking time to enjoy the win, appreciate one another, and thank their fans. It’s the start of another summer full of well-earned celebration.
