Likewise, head coach Claude Julien is pleased to be able to mark the occasion with one of his favorite vets. The Canadiens' bench boss was at the helm of the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs when Plekanec first arrived in North America in the early 2000s.
"I had him when he first came to Canada, and I have him in his 1,000th game. I'm happy to be a part of his celebration. It's a great achievement for a player," said Julien. "He brought a lot of good things to the organization."
These days, Julien is glad to still have Plekanec on board - especially with a young team that can learn a lot from the Kladno, Czech Republic native.
"He's a good pro, he trains hard, he's a good example. He has a lot of experience to share with a young team right now," mentioned Julien. "We also need that experience on the ice. Faceoffs, he's really good there. He's well-respected by his teammates and the coaching staff. He has a lot of qualities that have allowed him to spend such a long time with the team."