(Boston) The Boston Bruins named Brad Marchand as captain on Wednesday, which means that the little pest who is hated almost everywhere in the NHL succeeds veteran Patrice Bergeron, a player known for his affable temperament who had the respect for all.

“It’s incredible to see that on my sweater,” Marchand said. The guys who wear the “C” are the best to ever play hockey. That it’s my turn, that it’s added to my sweater, it’s a funny feeling. »

The Bruins confirmed the news ahead of the opening of their training camp, as they look to continue their momentum from last season – they had the best regular season in NHL history. They will also want to turn the page on their discomfiture last spring, when they were eliminated in the first round.

Entering his 15th season, Marchand is the longest-serving player with the Bruins, and the last still active to have lifted the Stanley Cup with the Massachusetts club in 2011.

Marchand joins the long list of captains in Bruins history which also includes the legendary Sprague Cleghorn, Dit Clapper, Milt Schmidt, Johnny Bucyk and Raymond Bourque, among others.