TORONTO — Brad Marchand knows the pressure these kids are under.

And, as always, the 36-year-old Canadian was rooting for his country during the annual Christmastime world juniors tournament, hopeful that this year’s batch of teenagers would experience the same thrill of capturing gold that a young Marchand did.

Yet, for Canada’s 2025 world junior squad, a shocking shootout loss to Latvia and a round-robin defeat to the U.S. led to a difficult quarterfinal match with Czechia.

One 4-3 loss later, and the proud hockey nation had crashed out before the medal round in consecutive winters.

Everyone from management through Dave Cameron and his coaching staff, down to the undisciplined players are getting roasted for such an underwhelming result on home ice.

Marchand — who has worn the Maple Leaf on his chest as an amateur and a pro — empathizes with the dressing room.

“They’re catching a lot of heat right now, but it’s a (one-) goal difference in a game, and they’re not catching that heat,” Marchand said Saturday in Toronto, ahead of a Bruins-Maple Leafs tilt.

“You’re just seeing that every country is elevating to another level right now, and everyone’s chasing Canada. It’s been like that for a long time now. And countries are getting good. Players nowadays are all talented, they all skate, they can all shoot. So, there’s very small margins in the game to make mistakes, and it happens at every level.”

The difference is that Canada’s tolerance for those mistakes — as is evident in a passionate fan base and media market obsessed with “our game” — is lower.

“I think there’s more pressure and expectations for Canada, especially when you’re in Canada,” Marchand continued. “Everyone’s going to pick them apart right now. But that’s part of the accountability you have to have, playing for that team.”

Marchand, of course, speaks from a place of experience, having won back-to-back junior gold in 2007 and 2008, as well as senior world championship and World Cup of Hockey in 2016.

“You know, if you want to play on the best teams, you’re going to deal with the most pressure and most critique — and that’s part of it. That’s part of what makes winning so special and what makes losing so tough,” Marchand said.

“So, whether the heat they’re catching is right or wrong, they’re going to deal with it. They’re going to move on. They’re going to be fine, and they’re all going to have great careers. But it’s just unfortunate, because obviously we’re all behind them, and that’s how these single-elimination games go.”

Marchand excited to ‘not get booed in Montreal’ at 4 Nations Face-Off
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand discusses representing Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, his excitement about the opportunity, and joking that it will be nice not to be booed by fans in Montreal for a change.

Marchand himself is a 2026 Olympic hopeful who will represent Canada at hockey’s next marquee international event, February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

Marchand is thrilled that the NHL’s mid-season invention will be co-hosted by his home country and his league home in Boston.

“Guys are going to be out for blood. You know, we’re not out there as an exhibition match,” Marchand said.

“Doesn’t matter how quick it gets thrown together or who’s involved. When you put your Canada jersey, or U.S., whatever it is, your country’s jersey on, you’re gonna leave it all on the ice, and you’re gonna compete at the highest level.”

And, if you lose while wearing Red and White, you’re gonna catch heat.