Former Avalanche Defenseman Bryan Marchment Dies at 53

Terrible news this afternoon: Bryan Marchment, who played for the Avalanche in 2003 in a career that spanned from 1988-2006 for nine different NHL teams, died today in Montreal. He was 53. There has been no cause of death listed yet.

Marchment only played 14 games for the Avalanche after coming over from the San Jose Sharks at the trade deadline. He also played in seven playoff games in a first-round series lost to the Minnesota Wild.

Marchment’s career was marked by multiple suspensions, and even he would admit that he played over the line at times. I remember him telling me, “Somebody has to wear the black hat” when first interviewing him with the Avalanche.

He played 961 NHL games and was a scout with the Sharks, in Montreal for the NHL draft, at the time of his death. His son, Mason, plays for the Florida Panthers.

May he RIP.