Ducks' Kesler on return to Vancouver: 'Had this one circled for a long time'

Ryan Kesler was back in front of those who had a hand in pushing him out of Vancouver on Wednesday, speaking to media at Rogers Arena for the first time since his trade. But if the Anaheim Ducks forward had a chip on his shoulder, he did well to conceal it.

"You learn over time," Kesler told reporters. "Were there moments where I wish I did things differently? Yeah, obviously. I was a young kid coming up and didn't know how to deal with stuff. 

"But saying that, I look back and I remember a lot of good memories."

Kesler has already faced his old teammates in Anaheim, but admitted there's no shortage of anticipation on his end for his return to the Rogers Arena ice.

"It’s a big game," he said. "I've definitely had this one circled for a long time."

Kesler says that he will heed to the reception he receives Thursday night, and slid in a warning for any spiteful fans.

"If they boo me, it’ll probably jack me up even more."