Steve Montador

Lore & Background

Montador played minor hockey with the Mississauga Senators and appeared in the 1993 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Marlboros. He began junior hockey in 1995–96 with the St. Michael's Buzzers of the OPJHL, then moved to the OHL for four seasons with the North Bay Centennials, Erie Otters and Peterborough Petes, scoring 174 points and 429 penalty minutes in 251 games. In his final junior season, he was the Petes' leading scorer among defencemen with 56 points. Undrafted, he signed a professional tryout with the Calgary Flames and made his professional debut on April 13, 2000, in an AHL playoff game. He earned a contract and helped the Saint John Flames win the Calder Cup in 2001.

Montador made his NHL debut on November 23, 2001, against the Buffalo Sabres, recording his first point with an assist. His first NHL goal came on January 8, 2002, against goaltender Garth Snow. During the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, he and fellow defenceman Mike Commodore were nicknamed 'the Doors' and became key contributors; Montador scored the overtime winning goal in game one of the Western Conference Final against the San Jose Sharks. The Flames reached the Stanley Cup Finals but lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning. After the 2004–05 lockout, he was traded to the Florida Panthers in December 2005. He later signed with the Anaheim Ducks, then was traded to the Boston Bruins in March 2009. He signed with the Buffalo Sabres and then the Chicago Blackhawks, where his career was cut short by a serious concussion.

Reader's Guide

Montador's significance lies in his journey as an undrafted player who carved out a 571-game NHL career, becoming a playoff hero for the Calgary Flames during their 2004 Stanley Cup run. His overtime winner in the Western Conference Final against the San Jose Sharks and his role as part of 'the Doors' alongside Mike Commodore exemplified his ability to rise when needed. Off the ice, Montador was a supporter of the Right to Play charity and traveled to Africa to work with children. He served on the NHLPA's bargaining committee during the 2012–13 lockout. After suffering a serious concussion with the Chicago Blackhawks, he spoke openly about depression and researched head injuries. His death at age 35 in 2015 shocked the NHL community. Researchers studying his brain found chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain condition linked to concussions. His estate's lawyers stated their intention to file a lawsuit, and former teammate Daniel Carcillo cited Montador as a positive influence who helped him overcome substance abuse problems, calling for formal exit procedures for players with post-concussion syndrome.

Did You Know?

• Montador was nicknamed 'The Matador'.
• He tied an AHL record for shots in a game with 14 during the 2002–03 season.
• Researchers found chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Montador's brain after his death.