Brad Marchand has been getting under opponents’ skin since entering the NHL in 2009. Now, Ryan Callahan has spoken out about one of Marchand’s most infamous antics — when he licked Callahan during the 2018 playoffs.
Every hockey fan has an opinion on Brad Marchand. You either love him or hate him, but there’s no denying that he makes an impact wherever he goes. Since making his NHL debut in 2009, Marchand has tormented opponents not only with his elite hockey skills, but also with his aggressive energy and uncanny ability to get under their skin.
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Brad Marchand licking opponents
Brad Marchand has many ways of provoking his opponents, whether it’s with a big hit, trash talk, or something more creative. One of his most notorious moments came during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the first round, his Boston Bruins faced the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Marchand infamously licked Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov.
“I thought he wanted to cuddle. I just wanted to get close to him. He keeps trying to get close to me. I don’t know if he’s got a thing for me or what. He’s cute,” Marchand said of the incident, for which he went unpunished.
NHL issued a ”dont lick” warning
Then, in the second round, the Bruins met the Tampa Bay Lightning — and Marchand did it again. In Game 4, Lightning forward Ryan Callahan got into a scrum with Brad Marchand, who decided to lick Callahan across the face. After the game, the NHL issued a “cease-and-don’t-lick” warning to Marchand. Now, Callahan has shared his side of the story.
Appearing on the Cam & Strick podcast in October, Callahan recalled what happened and the first time he spoke to Marchand afterward.
Ryan Callahan’s honest words
“My shoulder kept coming in and out, so my right shoulder was basically taped to my side. So he licks me, and I want to kill him. I’m trying to claw at him, but I can’t lift my shoulder,” Callahan said. “I tried to get him suspended after the game, but that didn’t happen.
“Fast forward — I’m working for ESPN and we’re doing an interview with him. It’s the first time I’ve spoken to him since. I’m like, ‘You know, Brad, I know the question everybody out there wants me to ask, but I’ll ask you something else.’ He said, ‘I apologize. I owe you a couple of beers. I don’t know what I was thinking.’ And I said, ‘You owe me more than a couple of beers — my whole tab.’ I think he realizes it was pretty stupid.”
Callahan also revealed that his wife wouldn’t kiss him for days afterward.
You can watch the clip below.
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