Brad Marsh: Flyers Player and Dedicated Community Ambassador – Hockey Writers – Philadelphia Flyers

During his 15-season NHL career, Brad Marsh played for five franchises, including the Atlanta/Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Ottawa Senators. Drafted by the Flames in 1978, he made his professional debut with the club during the 1978-79 campaign. A storied member of the London Knights in his younger days, he played 80 games with Atlanta in his rookie season.

Related: Flyers’ 1984-85 Team Was Pure Youth Showcase

A fan favorite and trusted leader at every stop, Marsh wore the captain’s “C” or co-captain’s “A” for Calgary, Philadelphia, Toronto, and Ottawa. The big blueliner recorded 23 goals, 175 assists, and 1,241 penalty minutes in 1,086 games from 1978-1993.

Marsh became a household name as a member of two Stanley Cup Final Flyers teams in 1985 and 1987. His time in Philadelphia was the longest of his career, wearing a burnt orange, black, and white jersey from 1981 to 1988. After retiring from playing, the Ontario native rejoined the Flyers organization and remains active in community affairs and the alumni association.

Philadelphia Flyers Player

After four seasons with the Flames in Atlanta and Calgary, the organization surprised fans by trading Marsh to Philadelphia. This transaction dated Nov. 11, 1981 sent the first captain of the Calgary Flames (1980-81 campaign) to the Flyers in centerman Mel Bridgman. In 66 games with the Flyers, he had 24 points (two goals and 22 assists) and 106 penalty minutes. In the postseason, Philadelphia faced their arch-rivals, the New York Rangers, in the Patrick Division Semifinals. New York took the series 3-1. Marsh had two penalty minutes in four games.

Marsh returned to the Flyers for the 1982-83 campaign. During that time, he appeared in 68 games, recording 13 points and 52 penalty minutes. The Patrick Division champions finished the season with an impressive record of 49-23-8 and were again tied with the Rangers in the end of the season. The result was not better, as they lost three games. Marsh only appeared in two postseason games, tallying one assist.

The following season, Marsh played 77 games for the Flyers, scoring three goals and 14 assists and logging 83 minutes. His strong play helped the Flyers make the playoffs again, this time beating the Washington Capitals in the Patrick Division semifinals. The Flyers also failed to get out of the first round, losing to Washington 3-0. Marsh had two points and two penalty minutes in three playoff games, including a Game 2 goal against Capitals goaltender Al Jensen.

The 1984-85 Flyers won the Patrick Division and Wales Conference crowns en route to the Stanley Cup final against the powerhouse Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton defeated the Flyers 4-1 in the series en route to their second straight championship. Marsh’s strong performance in the regular season, with 20 points and 91 penalty minutes, translated well into the postseason. In 19 playoff games, he had six assists and 65 penalty minutes.

In the 1985-86 season, Marsh made a physical statement on the ice, collecting 123 penalty minutes. The newly appointed captain also made 13 assists in 79 games that season. The Patrick Division champions were reunited with the hated Rangers. New York continued to tighten its rivalry with Philadelphia, knocking the Flyers out of the playoffs in the Patrick Division Semifinals 3-2. Marsh had two penalty minutes in the series.

Marsh’s 124 penalty minutes during the 1986-87 campaign was an NHL career high. He also had two goals and nine assists in 77 regular season games. The Flyers made their second Stanley Cup Final appearance during Marsh’s tenure with the team that season. The Patrick Division and Wales Conference champions eliminated the Rangers, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens on their way to a rematch with Wayne Gretzky and the Oilers in the finals, eventually falling in a hard-fought seven-game series. In 26 games, Marsh had seven points (three goals and four assists) and 16 penalty minutes.

In his final season with the Flyers in 1987-88, Marsh collected 12 points (three goals and nine assists) and 57 penalty minutes in 70 games. The Flyers fell to the Capitals in the Patrick Division Semifinals, 4-3. Marsh had one goal in the seven game streak. His goal came in the third period of Game 7, which forced overtime when Dale Hunter’s goal gave the Capitals the series win.

After the Flyers

On October 3, 1988, the Maple Leafs claimed Marsh in arbitration, effectively ending his tenure with the Flyers. He spent parts of three seasons with the Maple Leafs before being traded to the Red Wings on February 4, 1991. He appeared in 75 games over two campaigns with Detroit. Marsh joined the Senators for his final NHL season, the 1992-93 campaign. That season, he appeared in 59 games, tallying three assists and recording 30 penalty minutes as team captain. He retired after the campaign.

Since 2015, Marsh has been active in the Flyers community, most recently serving as the team’s director and vice president of community development. His public relations work includes serving as president of the Flyers Alumni Association, an organization dedicated to giving back to the Delaware Valley community year-round through local giving, volunteering, and community events. The organization runs several successful events throughout the year, including a golf invitational and a bicycle donation drive for children with special needs.

Flyers Warriors

In 2018, Marsh helped found the Flyers Warriors hockey team, which provides recreational and therapeutic experiences for disabled American military veterans and their families. During his involvement with the club, Marsh served as a coach, mentor, and facilitator for the program and the general veteran community. The Warriors compete in many tournaments and charity events in the greater Philadelphia area each year.

Flyer of a Lifetime

Marsh is a great example of the dedication that many former Flyers players have shown to the franchise long after their playing days are over. In addition to a strong and very active alumni association, former Flyers such as Brian Propp, Bernie Parent, and Bobby Clarke remain highly visible figures in the community. Marsh, 66,’s continued commitment to supporting veterans’ challenges and the greater community will ensure he remains a respected part of Flyers history for years to come.