In a classy gesture, the Montreal Canadiens paid tribute to the late Gary Carter at the Bell Centre prior to their game against the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night. Carter played the bulk of his 19-year big league career in Montreal and is enshrined in Cooperstown as an Expo.

All members of the Canadiens wore Carter’s number 8 during the pre-game skate. A video tribute to Carter’s career followed accompanied by the Eagles’ song “New Kid in Town” in homage to his nickname, Kid. Youppi, the Canadiens mascot who spent 25 years as the mascot for the Expos before they left for Washington D.C., donned an Expos jersey once again only this time wearing a number 8. A moment of silence was then observed.

The people of Montreal and indeed the province of Quebec has long had a soft spot for Carter who along with Rusty Staub (a.k.a. Le Grand Orange), endeared himself to the fans by making a point of learning some French.

Carter passed away on Thursday after nearly a year long battle with brain cancer.