Ryan Kesler spent 10 seasons of his NHL career as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, amassing 182 goals and 211 assists in 655 games of action.
Tonight, he'll take the ice in Rogers Arena for the very first time as a member of the opposition.
"Hopefully they appreciated the 11 years I played here and remember all the good times," said Kesler, according to NHL.com, who spent one of those years in the minors. "Hopefully a warm reception, but if not it's part of the game."
Kesler asked the Canucks to trade him last season and was eventually shipped to the Anaheim Ducks during the 2014 NHL Draft in exchange for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa and Anaheim's first and third-round picks. He said he isn't sure what his reception by fans will be, but was adamant that he enjoyed every minute of his time there.
"I loved this city. I've called it my home since I came here when I was 18 for training camp, and now I'm 30," Kesler said. "That's over one-third of my lifetime, so it will always have a place in my heart."
Thus far this season, Kesler has six goals and nine assists in 20 games for an Anaheim team sitting at 11-4-5 and first place in the Pacific Division.
The Canucks, 13-6-0 and in second in the Pacific Division, have won five of seven and nine of their last 12 games, according to the News Observer.
Bonino, something of an afterthought in the Kesler trade, has been strong for Vancouver. He scored the shootout winner against Anaheim in the first meeting between these two clubs this year.
The top line of Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata will look to continue their extremely strong play. The line has been one of the best in the league thus far this season.
Eddie Lack will get the nod in goal for the Canucks over Ryan Miller, according to ProHockeyTalk.com. Miller struggled against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, giving up four goals on 32 shots.
Frederik Andersen will go for the Ducks. He's sporting a .920 SV% and a 2.13 GAA.
You can listen to the game HERE.
