Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand signs a stick for a young fan at a charity event at the Fall River Dairy Queen on Thursday. Photo by Willy Palov /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentFans of all ages travelled from every part of the province to the Fall River Dairy Queen on Thursday to get an autograph, photo and a chance to talk to Brad Marchand.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 contentNine-year-old Kallan Laskow-Pooley made the trip from Truro with his grandparents and wound up being one of the first people to shake the Florida Panthers star’s hand, thanks to an early arrival.Article contentArticle content“I’ve been a Brad Marchand fan since I was four so this is crazy,” he said. “I just couldn’t imagine I ever would’ve gotten this chance.Article contentArticle content“We got here at 10 o’clock and waited about two hours to see him. It was amazing.”Article contentThe lineup to meet the former Boston Bruins captain stretched out the door of the DQ, around the corner to the main road and then several hundred metres up the street to the nearest intersection.Article content Brad Marchand fans line up for the chance to meet the NHL star at the Fall River Dairy Queen. Photo by Willy Palov /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentHal Dewling said there was no way his grandson Kallan was going to miss his chance to see his idol in the flesh.Article content“As soon as my daughter saw it on Facebook, we knew we were going to make the drive,” Dewling said. “Kallan actually had a practice at Jon Sim’s camp today. He’s been there every day this week from 10 o’clock in the morning to 5:30 at night. He loves it but he took this one day off so he could see Brad. He’s his favourite player.”Article content“Even ahead of Sidney Crosby,” Kallan added. “A hundred and 10 per cent.”Article contentThe personal interaction with Marchand did not disappoint Kallan, who said it “was even better than if there had been a (Stanley Cup) parade.” He then made a remark even the famously sharp-tongued Marchand would’ve appreciated for the unintentionally humorous truth of it.Article contentArticle content“I thought he would be a little bit taller,” he said.Article content Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand poses for a photo with Kallan Laskow-Pooley of Truro at a charity event at the Fall River Dairy Queen on Thursday. Photo by Willy Palov /Chronicle HeraldArticle contentArticle contentMarchand was at the DQ as an ambassador for the restaurant chain’s Miracle Treat Day, which raises money for children’s hospitals across Canada. Marchand spent the first part of his day visiting young patients at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax before the meet-and-greet with hundreds of his adoring fans.Article contentHe had a handmade IWK bead bracelet around his left wrist as he explained why it was important to him to take the time to pitch in.Article content“I got the opportunity to go see some kids and hang out and play a little PlayStation,” the Hammonds Plains native said. “I got beat by Toronto, which was not good. But I had a lot of fun so it was a great morning.”Article content“I love when there’s opportunities like this to be involved, especially with children’s charities, because it does hit home a lot having kids,” he added. “It means a lot to be part of things like this. And I really enjoy doing things back home here in the Halifax area. I don’t get to do a ton. I don’t spend a lot of time here anymore because I have kids and we’ve get a lot going on, kind of all over the place. So to be able to do something like this is really special, it means a lot. And I don’t take it for granted.
Fans line up around the block to meet Brad Marchand at Nova Scotia Dairy Queen
