Reflective Jonathan Marchessault makes emotional return to Vegas "You feel so much like a brotherhood"

Marchessault returned to Las Vegas for the first time Saturday night as an opposing member, spent seven seasons with the Golden Knights

(C/Golden Knights)

By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter

NASHVILLE--Jonathan Marchessault soaked in every moment in his return to Las Vegas where he spent seven seasons as a member of the Golden Knights.

Marked on the Predators calendar as the final road game of the season, he had to wait 317 days before he could make his return as the Predators traveled to Vegas for the first time this season on Saturday night.

"From warmups, I just enjoyed every second of it," Marchessault said. "Every time I stepped on the ice here, I took a lot of pride to play here."

He hoisted the Stanley Cup in front of the same crowd 26 months ago.

"I was definitely happy to look up to the champion flag over there, that made me happy."

Around mid-April last year, Marchessault was gearing up for another playoff run with the Golden Knights.

This year, Wednesday will be his final game until October, a consequence of the Predators' disappointing campaign.

“It's definitely been challenging (this year),” said Marchessault. "(But), It tests your character, we're professionals. You have to have the same mindset despite where we are in the standings. We need to find a way to be good professionals.”

(C/NBC Sports)

In his return to Vegas, Marchessault fittingly scored in front of his former home crowd, receiving a spin-pass from Zach L'Heurux, firing a back-door pass around netminder Adin Hill.

He joked at the silence his goal brought to the arena.

"Never happened to me scoring at the fortress and it is that silent. Just a great atmosphere and, a great building. I couldn't say more good things top to bottom here."

In Marchessault's eyes, the goal finally "meant something", amid a mentally challenging season for the veteran.

"It's been a tough stretch for me. It's good to get a goal that means something. I thought that goal gave us a little bit of energy in the third. Hopefully one day I'll play playoff hockey again."

Bonds that he created with teammates in Vegas, will last a lifetime.

“You get to see those guys seven years in a row, you feel so much like brotherhood..."

"So it was really good to spend time with them and see them. Just love seeing the guys ... all the trainers, going to see the coaches and stuff. It was just great to see everybody."

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