"Those things are fun. They're fun to be part of and play in," Begin said. "That is probably an event people will look back on years from now, and to be part of it is nice. I obviously got to be part of a lot of these events, and it was fun."
Begin praised the Montreal organization for the way it includes and never forgets its former players and coaches.
"They take care of them and make sure they get noticed," Begin said of how the Canadiens franchise pays constant homage to its alumni. "Even some of the guys you maybe don't know about, they take care of them and they bring them back to make them feel appreciated."
With Montreal, Begin benefited greatly from the ability to chat with and learn from former Habs like Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau.
"He is there every game and he is a legend, so to have him around and to be able to talk to him was a privilege," Begin said of Beliveau's presence at the Canadiens games. "Him and his wife are all class and just good people.
"Sometimes, you're sitting there and you meet these guys and you learn so much from them. Without them we wouldn't have the tradition there or even have the game the way it is now. You appreciate what they did to pave the way."
While Begin will always have that appreciation, on Friday night, he would appreciate nothing more than to ruin the Habs' birthday party.
"It would be nice to go in there and spoil it," he said. "I am a Bruin now and this is where I want to be."
