Steve Montador was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He began his career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the North Bay Centennials and the Peterborough Petes. He was then drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.
Montador made his NHL debut with the Flames in the 2001-02 season and played with them for three seasons. He then played for the Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, and Chicago Blackhawks. He was known for his physical play and his ability to block shots.
Montador's best season was in 2008-09 when he played for the Sabres and recorded a career-high 23 points. He also played in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Ducks in 2007, but they lost to the Ottawa Senators.
Montador's career was cut short due to injuries. He suffered a concussion in March 2012 while playing for the Blackhawks and was unable to return to the ice. He was eventually diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head injuries. Montador passed away on February 15, 2015, at the age of 35.
Off the ice, Montador was known for his charitable work. He founded the Steve Montador Project, which aimed to raise awareness about concussions and brain injuries in sports. He also worked with the Canadian Mental Health Association to promote mental health awareness.
Montador's death brought attention to the issue of head injuries in hockey and other contact sports. His family filed a lawsuit against the NHL, alleging that the league failed to protect its players from head injuries and did not adequately warn them of the risks. The lawsuit was settled in 2018 for an undisclosed amount.
Overall, Steve Montador was a hard-working and dedicated player who made a significant impact on the ice. His legacy lives on through his charitable work and his advocacy for player safety.
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