Brad Marchand jokes that the best way to stop North America is to 'spear everyone'

To much of the NHL, Brad Marchand is known as a talented player who also happens to be a total pest on the ice. That reputation was earned through the veteran Bruins forward's penchant for questionable hits, dirty tactics and a whole lot of trash talk.

So when the 28-year-old winger, who's currently competing for Team Canada in the World Cup of Hockey, was asked how to stop the fast and fearless young guns of Team North America on Thursday, his response was perfectly on-brand.

The fact that it was necessary to clarify that his statement was a joke speaks to Marchand's reputation in the league. Though it's worth noting that, despite a league-wide epidemic of jabs in recent NHL seasons — to the groin, particularly — spearing doesn't seem to be Marchand's assault of choice.

Call him old fashioned, but he's more of a hit-you-in-the-face-when-nobody-is-looking kind of guy:

That's not to say Marchand hasn't had direct experience with the ol' groin chop, though:

If you weren't already rooting for a potential Canada-North America matchup already, I think you're sort of obligated to now. We all need to see if Marchand was really joking.