Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand poses with a Dairy Queen blizzard. Photo by Dairy QueenArticle contentThe legend around Brad Marchand’s fondness for Dairy Queen Blizzards continues to evolve in even more unexpected ways.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentBack in late May, when the Florida Panthers were in the thick of their Stanley Cup playoff run, the 37-year-old from Hammonds Plains was spotted enjoying a spoonful of something sweet between periods of a conference semifinal game against the Carolina Hurricanes.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentReporters asked him about it and he joked it was a chocolate chip cookie day Blizzard: “It’s the best dessert in the world so I better get a lifetime free supply of Dairy Queen now.”Article contentIt turned out he was actually treating himself to a taste of honey, but by then the Blizzard storyline had already taken off. Fans in Florida immediately connected with the narrative and Marchand played along, creating a new ritual with teammates of stopping at area Dairy Queens for pre-game ice cream.Article contentThey even trekked to DQ locations ahead of road games, with photos popping up on social media of Panthers players eating Blizzards together in Raleigh, N.C., and Edmonton prior to round three and four meetings with the Hurricanes and Oilers.Article contentGetting a dealArticle contentAs the new superstition took on a life of its own and the Panthers went on to repeat as NHL champions, the fast-food chain also jumped on board and recruited Marchand to be a brand spokesman. They temporarily renamed his cookie dough treat of choice the Brad Blizzard and staged a fan gathering at a DQ location in the Fort Lauderdale area on June 20. It was National Ice Cream Day in the United States.Article contentArticle content“It’s been incredible the last couple days but I think this tops it all off,” Marchand said to reporters at the surprise appearance shortly after the Panthers’ Cup win. “This legit brings back to my childhood and it’s been an incredible few days.Article contentArticle content“There’s always been a lot of talk about it not being a hockey city but it’s pretty evident that there’s so much love down here for the game of hockey and it’s pretty incredible to be a part of it.”Article contentSince then, Dairy Queen and Marchand have teamed up to leverage the viral narrative for more community good. He is the face of this year’s annual Miracle Treat Day charity campaign in Canada and is lending his time and energy to the cross-country fundraising initiative to benefit children’s hospitals.
Brad Marchand will share his love of Blizzards and raise money for IWK at Dairy Queen meet-and-greet in Halifax
