BOSTON — With a night off in Boston ahead of his return to TD Garden, former Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo decided to visit some of his old favorite haunts.

A Charlestown resident for nine years before he was traded to Toronto at last year’s deadline, Carlo strolled around his former neighborhood and enjoyed dinner at Prima with his wife and children.

“It was fun just to walk down memory lane,” Carlo said. “We walked around a little bit just to experience our old stomping grounds. So that was great.”

A Bruins second-round pick in 2015, the stay-at-home defenseman made Boston’s NHL roster as a 19-year-old in 2016 and suited up for 617 games over the next nine seasons.

Carlo was a constant presence on Boston’s blue line until general manager Don Sweeney traded him to the Maple Leafs for two draft picks and Fraser Minten last March. Though he was raised in Colorado, Carlo still feels a kinship to Boston.

“This city means a lot to me,” Carlo said. “I feel like I grew up here, in a way. I was young when I came in. Met a lot of special people in this city. Have some great friendships. But overall it was a big honor to be a part of this organization and to be a part of this city for sure. I feel lucky for that chapter I had in my life.”

On Tuesday morning however, Carlo took the ice for the first time in a Maple Leafs sweater at Toronto’s morning skate. The 28-year-old led the post-practice stretch ahead of his return and said using the visitor’s entrance at TD Garden will take some getting used to.

“Interesting,” Carlo said. “Coming in through the back door. Little different. Bus ride up that (visitor’s) ramp, that’s pretty interesting too. Kinda tight there. But overall, feels good. I’m excited to be back.”