National Hockey League officials reportedly called the Boston Bruins this month and asked them to tell left wing Brad Marchand to quit licking people, according to an article posted to a Canadian sports news site.

According to SportsNet, “the Bruins got a, ‘we’d prefer if you could tell Brad Marchand to stop licking people’ phone call from the NHL.’’ The reported phone call came after Marchand pressed his mouth to the neck of Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov during Game 1 of the Bruins’ Stanley Cup playoffs series against Toronto and appeared to lick him.

It was an attempt by Marchand to disrupt Komarov’s game.


The Bruins could not immediately be reached for comment.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Maple Leaf? #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/UFO1UFVO7Y — NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) April 13, 2018

After the game, Marchand was asked by a reporter, “What is it about Komarov that makes you want to cuddle with him?’’

“He keeps trying to get close to me,’’ Marchand replied with a wry smile. “So I don’t know if he has a thing for me or what. But he’s cute.’’

What is it about Komarov that makes you want to cuddle with him?



Brad Marchand: “He’s cute.” pic.twitter.com/bZ4hJgNIq4 — Mark Dunphy (@m_b_dunphy) April 13, 2018

The two players have a bit of a history. During a game in November, Marchand appeared to attempt to plant a kiss on Komarov’s cheek. Asked about it afterward, Komarov said, “I kind of liked it.’’