Andrei Markov made a surprise appearance at his former rink this past weekend, and it didn’t take long for Canadiens fans to remind him how much he’s still loved in Montreal.
When Markov appeared on the jumbotron during Saturday’s game against the Washington Capitals, Bell Centre patrons erupted in applause as the former defenceman stood up and waved.
de la belle visite ce soir 🤩
good company tonight#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/7wSzIBS2OW
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 8, 2024
The moment was brief, but it may have got people wondering: What if Markov came back for good?
In a recent interview with Marco D’Amico and Sergey Demidov of RG.org, Markov, who spent his entire 16-season NHL career in Montreal, revealed that he’s not ruling anything out when it comes to returning to the Canadiens organization.
The 45-year-old began by explaining how near and dear the city still is to his heart.
“I came to Montreal before, but this was my first hockey game here in seven years. I won’t lie, I loved the fans’ reaction,” he said. “The club didn’t know I was coming; a friend invited me. The last time I came to the city was about two years ago. People still recognize me on the street sometimes. It’s nice.”
Markov’s ties to Montreal run deep. The ex-blueliner is sixth on the Canadiens’ all-time list for most games played, with 990. He’s remembered not only for his skill on the ice but also for his leadership, which earned him the nickname “The General.”
“I feel a little nostalgic [being back here],” Markov said. “But I didn’t want to go out on the ice. I don’t know why; it’s hard to explain. Much time has passed.”
While Markov is enjoying life after hockey — recently serving tenures as an assistant coach in the KHL with Vityaz and Spartak — he’s open to returning to the Habs in some capacity one day.
“I am always open to suggestions,” he said. “When I flew with my little son here, I wanted to show him all this. He was delighted, and it’s more important to me that he enjoys it. I am ready for any invitations and suggestions.”
He wouldn’t be the first former player to make the transition. Last September, the Canadiens hired Paul Byron as a player development consultant. Meanwhile, Francis Bouillon has been working in a similar role since 2017.
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