P.K. Subban excited to play against Habs, receives Governor General honour

P.K. Subban says sometimes, the NHL stands for "Not Here Long."

The former star Habs defenceman spoke at Montreal's Bell Centre Wednesday afternoon, after receiving an honour from the Governor General and earlier in the day, in the lead-up to Thursday's game pitting his Nashville Predators against the Habs.

Subban restated his commitment to Montreal and said there were no hard feelings, despite being traded from the Canadiens to the Predators last summer.

"Everyone in Montreal knows I'm a positive ambassador for the city," Subban said Wednesday.

When asked about Thursday's game against his former team he said there's a definite buzz surrounding it.

"Whenever there are games like this, with a little bit more meaning, I can't anticipate how it will feel," he said.

"That's the excitement, not knowing what will happen."

Meritorious Service award

Subban stressed that because of his pledge to the Montreal Children's Hospital, he will always be connected to the city.

More than $1.4 million has been raised since 2015 for the hospital through the P.K. Subban Foundation. 

Earlier today, he was presented with the Meritorious Service Decoration from Governor General David Johnston in his namesake atrium at the Montreal Children's Hospital. 

It's that pledge to help raise $10 million for the Children's which led to Subban receiving the honour.

The star NHL defenceman didn't give an acceptance speech at the time, but when asked said the honour feels "fantastic." 

Volunteers recognized

Subban is one of 13 people who received awards. Johnston said they aim to recognize and encourage exceptional deeds. 

"We always knew P.K. was a star on the ice but now he has entered a whole new area of superstardom," Johnston said during the ceremony.

"He stands as an example as to how one can change lives in their community." 

The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers went to 12 people from the Montreal area, in recognition of their exceptional volunteer achievements.

They include Glynis Burton-Jenkins, the founder and director of Montreal's Extended Hands food bank, Lise Gauthier, who has been volunteering with the Heart and Stroke Foundation for three decades, and Guy Lapointe, who has been responding to emergencies and helping save lives for 25 years.  

Subban, who was born and raised in Toronto, has returned to the city he called his second home ahead of one of the most hotly anticipated Canadiens games of the season.

Tomorrow, for the first time, he will play against his former team wearing a Nashville Predators jersey.

The Montreal Canadiens traded him for Shea Weber in an exchange that shocked many fans, to put it mildly.