Subban in tears during long Bell Centre ovation in first game back with Preds
Tears streamed down P.K. Subban’s cheeks as the standing ovation went on and on.
It was clear that the former darling of the Bell Centre crowd, back for the first time since his trade to the Nashville Predators last June, still held a special place in the hearts of Montreal Canadiens fans.
“I wasn’t really sure how I was going to feel,” Subban said. “I played a lot of hockey games in this building.
“A lot of great things happened in this building and in this city while I was here. All those memories come back, whether it’s stuff to do at the hospital, with the kids, family, teammates, emotional hockey games. We shared that with all the fans and the community here.”
Of course, it didn’t stop those same fans from booing him in a tightly contested third period
each time he rushed the puck or cheering wildly when Paul Byron scored with nine seconds to go to give the Canadiens a 2-1 victory Thursday night.
But Montreal fans have done that to many star players who have left or been traded in the past.
“It was great,” he said with a laugh. “You know what? That’s the first time I’ve ever been booed at the Bell Centre. I kind of enjoyed that. The fans here are some of the best sports fans in the world. It was great to play in front of them tonight.”
Before the game, before fans shifted their loyalties back to the home team and the race for the playoff spot, there was nothing but affection for Subban, a one-of-a-kind figure in his seven seasons on the Montreal blueline before his shock trade to Nashville in a one-for-one swap for respected rearguard Shea Weber.
Subban was not only a dazzling talent who played with flair. He won over fans who didn’t even like hockey with is bubbly personality, his ability to connect with the public and his remarkable generosity.
The day before the game, he was given a medal by Governor General David Johnston to mark his September 2015 pledge to raise $10 million for the Montreal Children’s Hospital, which is believed to be the largest charitable donation ever made by a Canadian athlete.
The Canadiens knew that the fans wanted to show they haven’t forgotten and prepared a video montage of his moments on and off the ice while he was in Montreal. Shown just before the national anthems were sung, it ended with the message “welcome back P.K.”
And then the ovation began. Standing with his teammates at the blue-line, Subban was clearly choked up and then the tears welled from his eyes.
Even the Canadiens players were moved.
“He played really hard for us here,” said goalie Carey Price. “It was his home.”
“It meant a lot for him to play here and wear the Montreal Canadiens sweater,” said Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher. “For him to come back and get a ceremony, I thought that was nice.”