Bryan Marchment Cause of Death: Former NhLer Dies Suddenly During Trip to Draft in Montreal

By Mathhew Paul On Jul 7, 2022

Bryan Marchment was a former Canadian ice hockey defenseman who played from 1969 to 2022. Between 1989 and 2006, he played in the NHL for the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames. After his playing career, he served as a scout for the Sharks in the NHL and as a part-time coach for the Sharks organization.

Affecting Factor

It was revealed by his agent that former NHL defenseman Bryan Marchment passed away suddenly on Wednesday in Montreal. He was 53 years old.

Rick Curran, Marchment’s longtime agent, confirmed his death to the AP. As a scout for the San Jose Sharks, Marchment was in Montreal for the NHL draught.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death. Bryan was “among the most devoted, physical and fiercest athletes ever to play the game,” the Sharks stated in a statement.

It was during this time that Marchment spent time with a number of teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). The Sharks and their American Hockey League affiliate had employed the Toronto-native since 2007.

As a musician, Marchment was well-known for his willingness to take risks and occasionally stepping over the line in his performances. With 2,307 career NHL penalty minutes, he ranks 31st all-time. As an NHL player, he was disciplined by the league on a regular basis for his first 12 seasons.

During a 1996 game against the Edmonton Oilers, Mike Gartner collided with Marchment, who at the time was playing for the Maple Leafs. He was forced to travel back to Toronto by train due to the risk of his lungs collapsing as a result of changes in air pressure.

“Payback time” for a previous brawl, Marchment claimed, according to a postgame report in the New York Times. When news of Marchment’s death spread, some condolences on social media referred to his softer side.

Captain Patrick Marleau’s wife stated that Marchment had introduced the couple and reminded them “every time we saw him.” Christina Marleau has been married to Patrick Marleau for many years.

She said, “The world lost a good man today,” and she meant it. Mason, a forward with the Florida Panthers, and daughter Logan Marchment are the only surviving members of the Marchment family.

Infancy

He was born on May 1, 1969, in Scarborough, Ontario; he currently lives in Toronto. At the 1982 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, he played for the Mississauga minor ice hockey team. During his junior years, he played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Belleville Bulls.

Bryan Marchment was a high-scoring defenseman who was better known for his assist totals, amassing 51 in 56 games played in 1987–88. At that year’s NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg Jets selected him with the 16th overall pick in the first round.

The Path of One’s Career

A game against the Los Angeles Kings at Great Western Forum marked Marchment’s NHL debut for the Jets on March 29, 1989. A talented prospect, who spent the majority of his Jets career playing in the American Hockey League with Moncton.

Although he did play 28 games for the Jets in the 1990–91 NHL season, he also had some time with the team. On July 22, 1991, he was part of a transaction that sent Chris Norton and Troy Murray to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Warren Rychel.

Prior to the 1992–93 season, Marchment was a Blackhawks regular, recording 15 points in that season and another 20 points the next year. To acquire Eric Weinrich and Patrick Poulin, Marchment was traded to the Hartford Whalers on November 2, 1993, along with Steve Larmer.

After just 42 games in Hartford, Marchment was traded to the Edmonton Oilers as compensation for signing Steven Rice on August 30, 1994.

During his fourth season with the Oilers, Marchment was moved alongside Jason Bonsignore and Steve Kelly to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Roman Hamrlik and Paul Comrie. Marchment began convulsing on the ice after suffering a serious concussion during the 1997 season.

Marchment appeared in just 22 games for the Lightning before being dealt to the San Jose Sharks on March 24, 1998, along with David Shaw and a first-round draught pick (David Legwand) in exchange for Andrei Nazarov and a first-round draught pick (David Legwand) (Vincent Lecavalier).

While with the Sharks, Marchment had the most success, earning a career-high 22 points, 20 of which were assists, in the 2001–02 NHL season. In 2003, Marchment was traded to the Colorado Avalanche for two draught picks after spending four and a half years with the Sharks.

He appeared in 14 games during the regular season and seven playoff contests for Colorado. Marchment signed a one-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 11, 2003, after becoming a free agent at the end of the season.. After playing 75 regular-season games and 13 playoff games in the 2003–04 season, Marchment tallied just four points.

Marchment sat out the NHL lockout-affected season of 2004–05 before being signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames on October 11, 2005.

He was a free agent when the 2005–06 season concluded. He was the Sharks’ player development director as of March 2008, a position he held until March 2009.

Gaining a Player’s Good Name

Throughout His Career, Marchment Was Suspended for Intentionally Injuring Other Players. During His First 12 Nhl Seasons, He Was Suspended by The League 13 Times, and His Hits Were Blamed for Injuries to Mike Modano, Joe Nieuwendyk Greg Adams Mike Gartner Kevin Dineen Peter Zezel Sami Salo Magnus Arvedson Paul Kariya Wendel Clark and Martin Rusnak.

One of Gartner’s Lungs Was Partially Crushed by A Marchment Strike While the Toronto Maple Leafs Were Visiting the Oilers on February 3, 1995. Gartner Was Rushed Home by Train. A Year After Marchment’s knee-to-knee Hit on Him, Doug Weight Struck Him with A Punch to The Face.