Claude Giroux played 15 seasons for the Philadelphia Flyers, but even he isn’t sure what to expect when he plays his first game as a visitor at Wells Fargo Center.
Giroux will return to Philadelphia when the Ottawa Senators play the Flyers on Saturday (1 pm ET; NHLN, TVAS2, NBCSP, TSN5, SN NOW). The Flyers traded the forward to the Florida Panthers on March 19, and he signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract ($6.5 million average annual value) with the Senators on July 13.
“It’s going to be a little different,” Giroux said. “I haven’t really thought about it just because I don’t want to [be] overthinking it. At the end of the day we’re going there to win a hockey game. But it’s definitely hard not to think about it.
“I think after the first shift, when you get your feet wet and you’re kind of in the middle of the game, I think I’ll be fine. But before that, I think it’s going to be a little tough.”
Giroux’s name dots the top of the Flyers record book. Selected by Philadelphia in the first round (No. 22) of the 2006 NHL Draft, he had 900 points (291 goals, 609 assists) in 1,000 games, ranking second behind Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke in games played (1,144), assists. (852) and points (1,210) in Flyers history.
He also was Flyers captain for 10 seasons from Jan. 15, 2013, until he was traded; His 10-season tenure is the longest in their history.
“I always tell him I credit a lot of my career so far to him,” said the Philadelphia forward Travis Konecny, who played with Giroux for six seasons. “A lot of those seasons where I had success were playing with ‘G.’ Obviously I can’t repay him for that, but I’m always thankful for what he’s done for me.”
Giroux said he will have a number of friends and family members with him in Philadelphia, including his wife, Ryanne, and their sons, Gavin and Palmer.
The date for his Philadelphia return has been circled on Giroux’s calendar since the NHL schedule was released.
“I think that’s the first thing I kind of checked,” he said. “It’s going to be one of those games that you’re going to remember.”
Giroux’s final game in Philadelphia was his 1,000th in the NHL, against the Nashville Predators on March 17. He got a long ovation from fans after that 5-4 win, and his former teammates expect another one Saturday.
The Flyers will play a video honoring Giroux before the game.
“G did so much for this franchise and was a captain here since I’ve been here,” said the forward Scott Laughton, a teammate for nine seasons. “I think it’s going to be a special day for him and I know he’s going to get a warm welcome, and I hope it’s a really cool night for him and his family.”
Giroux said having faced Philadelphia in Ottawa on Nov. 5 will make things a bit easier as far as the emotions of facing former teammates. Giroux scored his 300th NHL goal in that 2-1 loss.
“First time playing against those guys, it was kind of weird at first,” he said. “As the game went on, we’re just there playing hockey. We had a couple chirps back and forth, but that’s what hockey is all about.”
Giroux did make light of one viral moment, when he appeared to help Flyers goalie Carter Hart by kicking his stick back to him.
“I lost my stick in the corner and he kicked it back to me,” Hart said. “I don’t think he meant to do it. He’s in stride. I texted him and said, ‘I don’t think you meant to do that.'”
Giroux confirmed that it was not intentional.
“It just happened,” he said with a laugh.
Giroux is trying to get comfortable with his new Senators teammates but said he has been paying attention to how the Flyers have been doing this season. They are 7-4-2 after a 5-2 loss at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.
“I take a look,” he said. “I don’t watch the games, but you kind of look at how they do every night. They’re good friends. So it’s a lot of mixed feelings. But yeah, I definitely follow what they’re doing.”
Instead his focus has been helping the Senators, who are 4-8-1 and have lost seven straight games following a 4-3 overtime defeat at the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. Giroux has seven goals in 13 games for Ottawa.
“I know it’s a big game and it’s going to be a weird night,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve got a job to do.”
Giroux has not been back to Philadelphia since he was traded to Florida. So in addition to seeing friends from the area, there are also people from the Flyers and employees at Wells Fargo Center that he’s looking forward to seeing.
“I had a lot of great relationships with people that work there, for the organization and for the building, so I’m looking forward to that for sure,” he said.
No matter what happens Saturday, Giroux understands he’ll always be connected to Philadelphia.
“I think every time I’ll get to play in Philly, it’s always going to be a special night,” he said. “But obviously the first one is always the biggest deal.”
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