Longtime Blueliner Bryan Marchment Dies at 53

Bryan Marchment in a file photo. USA TODAY Sports via Field Level Media

Former first-round pick and longtime NHL defenseman Bryan Marchment died suddenly, the San Jose Sharks announced Wednesday. He was 53.

The club did not release a cause of death. Marchment, a scout for the Sharks for the last 15 years, was in Montreal for the NHL draft. He spent parts of six seasons with the Sharks as a player, his longest tenure with any team in his well-traveled career.

“Bryan’s lifelong love of hockey was unparalleled, and he was amongst the most dedicated, physical, and fiercest players to ever play the game,” the Sharks posted to Twitter.

Defenseman Bryan Marchment (27) of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks for a pass against the New Jersey Devils during their NHL game at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, N.J., on Oct. 16, 2003. Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Marchment was selected No. 16 overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1987 draft and played in parts of 17 seasons in the NHL.

He finished his playing career with 182 points (40 goals, 142 assists) and 2,307 penalty minutes in 926 games with nine teams, including the Jets (1988–91) and Sharks (1997–2003). He also played three-plus seasons with Edmonton (1994–98).

The Scarborough, Ontario, native is survived by wife, Kim, and two children, Mason and Logan.