Devante Smith-Pelly grew up a Maple Leafs fan in Toronto just like the rest of his family. But those generational family allegiances to the Toronto Maple Leafs are about to get tested.

"We’ll see how my parents and grandparents transition to becoming Canadiens fans," Smith-Pelly joked to ESPN.com Tuesday, a few hours after his trade from the Anaheim Ducks to the Montreal Canadiens.

"It’s going to be amazing. You dream as a boy of playing for the Leafs, but playing in Montreal is going to be just as amazing. I’m just super-excited; it’s a great opportunity."

He’s got some connections already on the Habs, having played on the same Canadian world junior team in 2012 as Brendan Gallagher, Nathan Beaulieu and Michael Bournival.

Plus, Smith-Pelly kind of knows P.K. Subban.

"I’m really good friends with Malcolm [Subban], his younger brother," Smith-Pelly said of the Boston Bruins goaltender. "So I know P.K. a little bit."

Tuesday was a whirlwind day for Smith-Pelly, who was scheduled to meet his new team in Columbus, where the Canadiens play Thursday night.

"It’s a new thing for me, I never got traded in junior hockey, and in minor hockey I played for the same team for seven years," said Smith-Pelly. "So it’s the first time going through anything like this, so it’s different for sure."

Habs general manager Marc Bergevin is hoping the 22-year-old right winger will become a stud power forward, something hard to come by in the NHL. For that to happen, Smith-Pelly will need to find consistency in his game, something that was fleeting during his time in Anaheim.

"That’s definitely something I want to tighten up, is my consistency," said Smith-Pelly. "It was tough this year, I was moved around the lineup and played some positions I’ve never played. So it was hard to get comfortable. But I’m hoping to shore up my consistency level and bring that to Montreal."