Former Canadiens defenseman Roman Hamrlik makes a surprise appearance at the Bell Centre

On the screen, he can be seen in the stands, a slight smile on his face, calm and relaxed. Beside him, a young fan is wearing his colors, and the camera captures the moment.

When he arrived in Montreal in 2007, he came in with a heavy workload. In 2007-08, the defenseman played 77 games, scored 5 goals, and recorded 26 points.

Four seasons later, his final one with the Canadiens was just as eventful. In 2010-11, Hamrlik played 79 games, scored 5 goals, and collected 34 points. He finished at +6 with 81 penalty minutes, and then Montreal turned the page.

What stands out is the consistency: 77 games one year, 79 the other. Five goals both times, and an increase from 26 to 34 points.

If you add together his 2007-08 and 2010-11 seasons, that comes out to 156 games and 60 points in Montreal. Over those two years, he also totaled 10 goals and 119 penalty minutes.

His NHL career totals 1,395 games, 155 goals, 483 assists, and 638 points. Those numbers place him among the heavy traffic of the most productive defensemen in league history. And yes, he was the first overall pick in the 1992 draft.

Tonight, the organization gave him a brief spotlight, and the crowd responded. That's where the Bell Centre is unique. Fans know how to recognize a long career without needing a 10-minute tribute video.

He wore the colors of the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Islanders. He was also seen with the Calgary Flames, the Montreal Canadiens, the Washington Capitals, and the New York Rangers.

When a guy with 1,395 games under his belt comes back to the Bell Centre, it deserves at least a smile.

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