|
 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."
[to top of second column] |
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)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
