Marchant, a gritty center from Buffalo, New York, never scored more than 20 goals in a season and exceeded 40 points just once. But his hustle and drive helped him fashion a 17-year NHL career and earn a Stanley Cup ring with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
The New York Rangers selected Marchant in the seventh round (No. 164) of the 1993 NHL Draft after his second season at Clarkson University. He spent most of the 1993-94 season with the U.S. National Team and played at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics before turning pro. After eight games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, the Rangers brought him to the NHL, and he made his debut March 18, 1994, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Marchant, a gritty center from Buffalo, New York, never scored more than 20 goals in a season and exceeded 40 points just once. But his hustle and drive helped him fashion a 17-year NHL career and earn a Stanley Cup ring with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007.
The New York Rangers selected Marchant in the seventh round (No. 164) of the 1993 NHL Draft after his second season at Clarkson University. He spent most of the 1993-94 season with the U.S. National Team and played at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics before turning pro. After eight games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, the Rangers brought him to the NHL, and he made his debut March 18, 1994, against the Chicago Blackhawks.
But instead of playing his second NHL game for the Rangers, he wound up playing it against them. The Rangers, gearing up for a Stanley Cup run, wanted veteran center Craig MacTavish from the Edmonton Oilers. The price was Marchant, who was traded to the Oilers on March 21, 1994, and opposed them two nights later in his Edmonton debut.
Marchant earned a regular role with the Oilers, settling in as a depth center and penalty-killer who could also chip in offensively. He scored at least 12 goals in each of his nine full seasons with the Oilers and finished with at least 34 points in each of the last eight. His best offensive season came in 2002-03, when he finished with NHL career highs in goals (20), assists (40) and points (60).
His career year came in his final season before becoming a free agent, and the Columbus Blue Jackets signed him July 3, 2003.
Marchant reverted to form in 2003-04, finishing with 34 points (nine goals, 25 assists) for a non-playoff team. The Blue Jackets placed him on waivers early in the 2005-06 season, and he was claimed by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Nov. 21, 2005.
Anaheim was a team on the rise, and Marchant's skills were a much better fit. He helped the Mighty Ducks reach the Western Conference Final during the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring three goals and 13 points and leading all players with a plus-14 rating. One year later, he was part of Anaheim's Cup-winning team.
Marchant played four more seasons with the Ducks before retiring in 2011 with 498 points (186 goals, 312 assists) in 1,195 NHL games and 34 points (13 goals, 21 assists) in 95 playoff games. After retiring, he remained with the Ducks in a player development role.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- ECAC Second All-Star Team (1993)
- Traded to Edmonton by NY Rangers for Craig MacTavish, March 21, 1994.
- Signed as a free agent by Columbus, July 3, 2003.
- Claimed on waivers by Anaheim from Columbus, November 21, 2005.