The real reason Brad Marchand was missing for Team Canada

Brad Marchand’s absence from Team Canada’s lineup raised eyebrows after he missed the past two games of the tournament. Now, with Canada’s quarterfinal matchup with Czechia up shortly, more clarity is emerging and it adds an interesting twist to his Olympic story.

Head coach Jon Cooper admitted that Marchand had been “dealing with something,” prompting the staff to hold him out as a precaution. While the exact nature of the injury hasn’t been disclosed, it’s possible the veteran forward re-aggravated the nagging issue that caused him to miss time earlier in the season.

But the thing is: Marchand himself didn’t even expect to play much in this tournament.

“To be honest, coming in, I didn’t think I’d be in the lineup,” Marchand told reporters Tuesday, via Sportsnet’s Luke Fox. “I thought I’d kinda be the extra guy and be a voice. Try to be loud and obnoxious in the room. So, I mean, I’m just so proud and honoured to be part of this group.”

Instead, Marchand has been more than just a vocal presence. He scored in Canada’s opening game and skated on the third line during Tuesday’s practice, right where he began the tournament and is likely to fit for today’s crucial matchup.

Marchand’s return could provide a timely boost for Canada. Whether he’s contributing on the scoreboard or stirring energy in the room, his impact is clearly bigger than he anticipated.

And perhaps bigger than anyone else realized, too.