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Montador, who played for six NHL teams over 10 seasons, was
pronounced dead after police arrived at his home in Mississauga,
Ontario in the early hours of Sunday morning, the Mississauga
News reported.
"We are all deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of
Steve Montador," Don Fehr, executive director for the National
Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), said in a statement.
"Steve was a great person who quickly became a friend of
everyone he came to know in the game."
The Mississauga News report said a friend had discovered
Montador dead and called police. Foul play was not suspected
pending the results of an autopsy, the report quoted local
police as saying.
Montador played for the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers,
Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago
Blackhawks during his career. He had 33 goals and 98 assists in
571 career games.
His former team mates took to Twitter to express their sadness.
"Monty laughed a lot and made the rink a fun place. So sad. Just
spent some time with him this summer," tweeted Vancouver’s Ryan
Miller, who played with Montador in Buffalo.
Montador's former teams also paid tribute.
"Steve will always be remembered to us as a member of the Flames
family," Calgary said in a statement.
"We are very proud that he wore the Calgary uniform... and also
of his important contributions during that period both on and
off the ice ...
"This is a terrible loss of a wonderful young man, a great team
mate known for his big heart and character."
The Sabres said: "Steve was a passionate hockey player, a valued
member of the Sabres family and a highly respected individual
off the ice."
The Blackhawks offered their condolences: "We join the many
others throughout the NHL in keeping Steve's family and friends
in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," the
team said.
Montador admitted in 2013 that he had struggled with depression.
The Vancouver native was also plagued by concussions throughout
his hockey career.
While with the Chicago Blackhawks, he suffered a season-ending
concussion on March 27, 2012.
His post-concussion symptoms continued through the 2012 NHL
lockout and the start of the shortened 2012–13 season.
(Reporting by Andrew Both, Editing by Nick Mulvenney)
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