And the retired defenseman, who played seven seasons for the Canadiens from 2010-16, shared his moment with friends, including injured goalie and former teammate
Carey Price
.
"I'm just happy to be back and to see a lot of familiar faces," Subban said at first intermission. "But in this way, it makes it extra special for sure."
Subban was greeted with a standing ovation and his name being chanted while he pushed a young girl, Mila, in her wheelchair onto the ice with him for the ceremony.
He identified the girl as a friend of his from his charitable work with the Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation and led the crowd in chanting her name.
The 33-year-old said he spoke with the widow of Canadiens great Jean Beliveau, Elise, who was unable to attend but relayed her message.
"She tells me that Jean is smiling somewhere tonight," Subban said.
Subban took an opportunity to address the current Canadiens and suggested a formula that brought him success when he played in Montreal, which selected him in the second round (No. 43) of the 2007 NHL Draft. He had 278 points (63 goals, 215 assists) in 434 regular-season games and 38 points (11 goals, 27 assists) in 55 Stanley Cup Playoff games during his time with the Canadiens before he was traded to the Predators on June 29, 2016.
"When you wear the CH, you play with the same passion that the fans bring every night," Subban said. "All I wanted to do every time I put that jersey on was play with that passion."
That passion came to a head when Subban motioned beside the Canadiens bench to Price, who came forward to perform their signature triple low-five, drawing more love from the adoring crowd.
And he sent it right back, capping his speech with, "Merci pour la belle vie, Montreal. Je t'aime Montreal (Thanks for the beautiful life, Montreal. I love you, Montreal)."
"My connection with the fan base has seemed to somewhat grow, even though I'm not here [playing anymore]," Subban said. "Every time I come back, it's always overwhelming. People always ask me how I prepare, and I don't think there's a way you can prepare for it. It's always an emotional time.
"The respect is overwhelming. Everybody wants to respect it, but when it's like that, you never really know how to handle it. I just try to take it in stride and be appreciative of the fact that I played here, and both the organization and the fans want to celebrate it."
