Marchand: 'Social media engagement helps grow the game'

Brad Marchand is known for getting into the odd Twitter scrap but the Boston Bruins star says engaging fans online is fun, and that players using social media is a great way to grow the game. However, he also suggests many of his NHL peers prefer to live out of the spotlight and their personal preference should be respected.

Video Transcript

KYLE CANTLON: And as far as you personally, you're obviously one of the more outspoken NHLers on social media, Twitter, Instagram, all that stuff. You're not afraid to show some personality, have some fun, you know, clap back in a fun way. And there are people who come at you a little bit. Do you think it would be better for the league if more players were more engaging online a bit? And why do you think NHLers tend to be a little more reserved in comparison to some athletes in other leagues in that regard?

BRAD MARCHAND: I think guys in the NHL just don't want to be in-- they don't want to be in the media in any kind of negative light. It's just a pain in the butt to deal with. To draw, a lot of guys are just simple and they don't want to be caught up in anything. They don't want to draw any attention to themselves.

They just want to go play and live their lives and be out of the spotlight. I think it's a great way to grow the game and the media, you know, because the more media attention that it brings, the more people are aware of it, the more it's going to grow the game. And there's always that saying, it's like any press is good press, regardless what kind it is. And there's a little bit of that.

Just, you know, you see a lot of headlines from the other leagues. And whether they're good or bad, it brings a ton of attention to it. But I just think it's fun to engage the fans at times. And I think the main thing they just have to remember is like it's just all in fun, right? You don't want to take anything too seriously. And unfortunately at times that's kind of what happens.

But it's just fun to get on, have a laugh and engage a little bit. But it's all in good fun. So, yeah, I don't think it's a bad thing for the league. But it's all personal preference.