Pat Kane, Hawks React To Montador's Passing (blackhawks)

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Pat Kane, Hawks React To Montador's Passing

By GARTH'S CORNER

Feb 15, 2015 • 6:49 pm

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Updated:

Steve Montador's last NHL experience came as a Chicago Blackhawk. After leaving the Buffalo Sabres at the end of the 2011 season, he signed with the Hawks. Montador played with Pat Kane and the Chicago Globetrotters from 2011-13.

Pat Kane and the Blackhawks found out about the passing of their friend just before opening puck drop on their matinee game against Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was a day of elation and deflation for Kane, who scored this beauty. Patrick Sharp netted the game winner.

After Sunday's 2-1 shootout win, Kane reflected on the life of his former teammate and friend Montador.

“It’s sad news. It’s been a tough year as far as those type of things go,… Patrick Kane said. “He was just a great guy. I’m sure you all knew him pretty well; he's pretty social with everyone, just wanted to create friendships and have fun when he was at the rink. We all enjoyed his time here with us. Some of the news you’re hearing these days is hard to believe. He’ll definitely be in our thoughts and prayers; his family, as well.…

Thanks, CSN Chicago

***

I'm deeply saddened and frankly depressed to hear about the news of the untimely death of Steve Montador, one of the best NHL players that I have ever had the privilege of covering.

"Monty" as he was known in the room and around the NHL, was one of the funniest, most engaging, down-to-earth and charismatic pro athletes that I have ever had the pleasure to spend time with. Montador spend two season playing with the Sabres, though it felt like more than that.

Every NHL team or professional organization needs a man like Steve Montador on its roster in order to be successful. He was the epitome of the saying:

"Hard work will beat talent when talent refuses to work hard".

Montador wasn't the most gifted hockey player. He didn't blow you away with high-end speed, nor flashy end to end rushes with occasional toe-drags and snipes. "Monty" had to work harder and smarter than all of the younger, more slickly talented bonus babies that had arrived in the NHL following the NHL lockout of 2005. Montador had to rely on his instincts and his blue collar work ethic and core values to guide him through shifts. He worked harder than most NHLers because he had to. He knew his role and he played it to the best of his ability. He would hit everything that moved and then fight the biggest, baddest guy on the other team. He'd block a shot and take a high stick to the face for his teammates.

That's why he lasted as long as he did in the NHL. He was a leader of men and a loyal, courageous soldier who would gladly dive on a live hand grenade if it meant that his platoon mates would be safe. He put himself in harm's way on a habitual basis. His teammates and coaches would rave about his unselfish attitude and his staunch adherence to his team-first philosophy.

On the ice, he was a scrappy, intense S.O.B.

Off the ice, he was one of the funniest and entertaining men that I have ever covered in all of my years working in media. I once told him that he would be a natural hockey broadcaster once he was through playing hockey. He one told me that he had a face for radio and would never be able to analyze hockey on TV. I begged to differ. "Monty" had a deep, rich baritone voice-- the kind you hear on a major market rock radio station. His sense of humor was always spicy, and bang on.

After the 2011 playoff loss to Philadephia, Montador's two-year contract had expired. He spoke passionately at locker clean out day about wanting to re-sign a new contract to remain with the Sabres. It wasn't meant to be.

Thanks, Sabres.com

Rest in peace, Steve. I will miss you.

Here's his background, courtesy Wikipedia:

Undrafted, Montador played in the Ontario Hockey League with the North Bay Centennials, Erie Otters and the Peterborough Petes. Montador was signed by the Calgary Flames as a free agent and spent time playing for the Saint John Flames out of the American Hockey League. Montador made his Calgary debut during the 2001–02 NHL season playing 11 games and scoring a goal and two assists for three points. Over the next two season, Montador played 76 more regular season games for Calgary and played 20 games in the 2003–04 NHL Playoffs which saw Calgary reach the Stanley Cup finals only to lose to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Montador was one of many NHL players to play in Europe, playing for French outfit Mulhouse. Early in the 2005–06 season on December 2, 2005, Montador was traded by the Flames along with Dustin Johner to the Florida Panthers for Kristian Huselius. Noted for his gritty defensive style, Montador's best season came in 2007–08, when he had career bests with eight goals and 23 points in 73 games with Florida.

In the 2008–09 season, Montador was signed as a free agent to a one-year deal by the Anaheim Ducks on July 11, 2008.[1] On March 4, 2009, Montador was traded by the Ducks at the trade deadline to the Boston Bruins for Petteri Nokelainen.[2] Montador played in 11 post-season games helping the Bruins reach the conference semi-finals.

On July 1, 2009, Montador signed a 2 year, $3.1M free agent deal with the Buffalo Sabres.[3]

His rights were traded to the Chicago Blackhawks for a seventh round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on June 29, 2011. The next day he was signed to a four-year contract with the Blackhawks.[4] The signing was hailed by one local blog site claiming Montador's stay-at-home style will be a compliment to the generally more offensive minded defenseman currently on the roster.[5]

During his first campaign with the Blackhawks in 2011–12, Montador suffered a season-ending concussion on March 27, 2012. He post-concussion symptoms continued through the 2012 NHL lockout and the start of the shortened 2012–13 season. After resuming practice on February 22, 2013, and upon clearance to return, he was placed on waivers by the Blackhawks in order to regain match fitness with affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL.[6] On June 28, 2013, the Blackhawks announced Montador would be bought out making him a free agent during the off season.[7]

With little NHL interest, on August 11, 2013, Montador signed a one-year deal in Croatia with the newest KHL member, KHL Medveščak Zagreb.[8]

Montador was reported to have passed away February 15, 2015 at the age of 35.

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