Patrick Marleau was welcomed back to SAP Center by San Jose Sharks fans with a raucous ovation during the game, his first on home ice since rejoining the team last week.

The forward couldn't help but get a little emotional.

Tweet from @SanJoseSharks: We're not crying you're crying. 😭 #SJSharks pic.twitter.com/XUpXQIUhOp

Marleau spent his first 19 NHL seasons with the Sharks before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 2, 2017. He was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on June 22 but bought out on June 27, setting the stage for a return to San Jose.

Marleau was the last player to skate out onto the ice, and the crowd was flooded with signs welcoming back one of the greatest players in franchise history.

"We've put on some weight, put on some gray hair, but, yeah, it's nice to have him back," said Sharks forward Joe Thornton, the No. 1 pick in the 1997 NHL Draft; Marleau was chosen No. 2.

Marleau is the Sharks' all-time leader in goals, points and games played -- and, of course, he wore his familiar No. 12. He shared his appreciation for the ovation Monday on his wife's Twitter account.

Tweet from @c_marleau: Hi, Patrick here. I wanted to take a moment and say Thank You. Thank you to the @SanJoseSharks for the incredible welcome home, and to the fans for welcoming me back. I can���t put into words what it means to me, what you all mean to me. There is no where else I want to be 🦈 -PM