Mike Grier Remembers Bryan Marchment

MONTREAL – After a joyous day for the San Jose Sharks yesterday, tragedy has struck on the eve of the 2022 NHL Draft.

Long-time Sharks development coach, scout, and defenseman Bryan Marchment, 53, has passed away in Montreal.

The San Jose Sharks released this statement:

We are heartbroken.

Our deepest condolences go out to Bryan's family, friends and our Sharks community at this time. pic.twitter.com/5DExiSoXXn

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 6, 2022

Ex-Sharks GM Doug Wilson and his wife Kathy followed up:

From Doug & Kathy Wilson, on the passing of Bryan Marchment pic.twitter.com/wZpR76IleQ

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) July 6, 2022

New Sharks GM Mike Grier, who was introduced in San Jose yesterday, remembered his former Edmonton Oilers teammate after today’s GM meetings: “Anyone who knew Bryan, you know the type of man he was, just an honest, down-to-earth loving person who just cared about everyone. He had time for everyone in the building.

“He was great to me my first few years in Edmonton, treated me with respect right away, made me feel at home, and if I ever needed anything, whether it was a home-cooked dinner instead of eating out every day, he and Kim would have me over.”

Marchment was a Winnipeg Jets’ first-round pick in 1987. One of the league’s most feared hitters, the rugged defenseman suited up for the Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames for 926 games over a 17-year career. “Mush” patrolled the San Jose Sharks’ blueline from 1998 to 2003. He retired after the 2005-06 campaign.

Since 2007-08, Marchment has been part of the San Jose Sharks organization, instrumental in the development of San Jose’s young defensemen, like Ryan Merkley and many others.

“When those guys are happy, Doug Wilson, Doug Wilson Jr., Bryan Marchment,” Merkley joked in Aug. 2020 to San Jose Hockey Now, “those guys have helped the most for sure. When you see those guys not too happy with you, it’s easy to turn it around and dial in.”

Mush was someone that helped me a lot my first years in the minors always thought fondly of him ❤️my deepest condolences to his family #RIP pic.twitter.com/TKx102PNM9

— jason demers (@jasondemers5) July 6, 2022

Assistant general managers Joe Will and Tim Burke, and scouts Gilles Cote, Pat Funk, Rob Grillo, Brian Gross, and Shin Larsson are just a handful of the many current San Jose Sharks staff who has worked with Marchment since he re-joined the organization in 2007-08.

“It’s a very difficult day for our staff. When you’re scouting, you spend a lot of time together on the road and in meetings. It’s a very emotional day, very hard on the group. Gave them some time to re-group and have some time to themselves in the process and grieve and we’ll get back to it tomorrow,” Grier said. “I know Mush, that’s what he would say. He would want us to get back to work and do our best and have the best Draft possible.”

Marchment is survived by wife Kim, son Mason Marchment, who plays for the Florida Panthers, and daughter Logan.