The forward played against the Ducks for the Dallas Stars on Oct. 24, 2019 in Dallas. He returned to Anaheim with Dallas on Jan. 9, 2020, but was serving a five-game suspension for a hit on Jan. 1.
The Ducks honored Perry for his 14 seasons with them that night.
"I think it's out of my system," Perry said Thursday. "That was emotional with everything that the organization and (owners Henry and Susan Samueli) did before the game and just that whole day. Obviously, I didn't get to play, but it was a long day, it was emotional and that was a few years ago. I finally get to come back and actually play this time. I'm excited."
Perry played his first 14 NHL seasons for Ducks and scored 776 points (372 goals, 404 assists) in 988 games. He's second in goals in Anaheim history behind Teemu Selanne (457) and second in games played behind Ducks forward Ryan Getzlaf (1,135). Perry is third in points and assists behind Getzlaf (1,006, 725) and Selanne (988, 531).
Selected by Anaheim in the first round (No. 28) of the 2003 NHL Draft, Perry won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He had NHL career highs in goals (50) and points (98) in 2010-11, when he won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the leading goal-scorer in the NHL and the Hart Trophy voted as the NHL most valuable player.
"It was a special time here," the 36-year-old said. "This is where I grew up, and coming out here at 20 years old and being part of this organization and community for 14 years, it's special. I'll always say this was home. I don't know how it's going to make me feel when I get out on the ice and I see all the fans and faces on the other side that you're still very close with and still talk to and communicate with.
"They're like brothers, some of them over there. It's probably going to be emotional, but once the puck drops it's hockey and game on."
Perry is playing for his third team since having his contract bought out by the Ducks following the 2018-19 season. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Stars on July 1, 2019, and scored 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 57 games in 2019-20. The Stars lost in six games against the Lightning in the Cup Final.
Perry signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 28, 2020 and scored 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in 49 games in 2020-21. Because of NHL realignment and travel restrictions last season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Canadiens did not play any regular-season games in the United States. The Canadiens lost in five games against the Lightning in the Cup Final.
Perry signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the Lightning on July 29. He has been a regular on their third line, scoring 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 41 games.
"I love this game, I love playing," Perry said. "To have a chance to win another Stanley Cup, that's pretty special. That's not all that's keeping me going because I love the game so much. But that's one of the things. You want to have multiple championships, not just one, and I'm looking forward to having that opportunity to help this team."
NHL.com independent correspondent Corey Long contributed to this story
