Bruins' Noel Acciari to attend memorial services for friend, former teammate Drew Brown

Noel Acciari was allowed a brief leave of absence from the Bruins to attend the memorial services of his best friend and former teammate, Drew Brown, who passed away Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 25.

Acciari did not practice with the Bruins on Monday, but is expected to rejoin the team for its game against the Ducks on Wednesday in Anaheim. Despite learning of his friend's passing, Acciari still played against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at TD Garden.

"Our condolences go out to the Brown family and to Noel," said Bruce Cassidy. "Even trying to play (Saturday) night I give him credit. Everyone grieves differently and it'll be up to Noel. We'll give him as much time as he needs."



Acciari and Brown were roommates at Kent School and were teammates at Providence College when the Friars won a National Championship in 2015. Brown missed that entire season due to his treatment for a rare form of bone cancer, but he served as an inspiration to the team and was at the TD Garden when the Friars won.

Current Bruins forward Tim Schaller was a senior at PC when Brown was a freshman.

“As good as a guy as it comes,” Schaller said. “He always had a smile on his face. He was never down about anything, especially when times were tough he was always smiling. You would ask how he was doing, and he was more worried about how we’re doing versus how he’s doing. Just a good character kid and it’s tough when a good one goes like that, but he definitely left behind good memories with everyone and he’s definitely going to be missed.”

Schaller remembers the type of player Brown was and how everyone respected his work ethic and tenacity on and off the ice.

“Just a hard-nosed guy,” recalled Schaller. “He was a hunter. He was a fisher, kind of a blue-collared guy and that’s how his game was too. That’s what the coaching staff was praising (at PC) and guys tried to play like Drew. When they won the National Championship he had a lot to do with that team, even though he didn’t play he was a big inspiration, a big reason why they won that ring. Drew was a big part of that.”

On Saturday, the Friars defeated UMass 7-2 at Schneider Arena. Brown wore No. 7 during his playing career at PC.

“I was getting emotional watching the presser after the game when Nate was talking and some of the guys were talking,” Schaller said. “It’s funny how things work out like that.”

The Bruins also support Acciari during this difficult time. It was an emotional night on Saturday.

“It’s hard. Last game, I don’t know how (Noel) played,” Schaller said. “You can only say so much to keep his spirits up and keep him from not thinking about it, but I felt for him and I still do. He’s heading out there now to see their family and that’s tough. I wish Noel the best.”