© Mike Zeisberger

OHSWEKEN, Ontario — For the second time in less than a year, residents of the Six Nations of the Grand River reserve honored hometown hero Brandon Montour for his hockey exploits on Wednesday.

This time, he arrived accompanied by a special friend.

Stanley, the epitome of NHL dominance, is a shimmering alloy made of silver and nickel, weighing 37 pounds.

Both of them were given a warm welcome by the village of 1,500, with almost every resident lining the streets to honor Montour’s special day with the Stanley Cup.

Daring to dream was the message the 30-year-old defenseman, who secured the title with the Florida Panthers, aimed to convey to all the young individuals residing on the reserve.

“Once, I was a child who admired players, not only in hockey but also in lacrosse,” he expressed. “And I believe that when someone from your own community or someone close to you achieves such a milestone, even if you don’t know me personally, it becomes an added reward for any aspiring child who dreams of reaching the same heights, especially on a day like today.”

It’s hard to put into words, but I feel an immense sense of gratitude and honor for the position I find myself in. Winning at this level is an indescribable feeling that truly surpasses anything else.

© Mike Zeisberger

He lifted the trophy triumphantly over his head, marking the first of numerous inspiring moments he would cherish and celebrate with the entire town.

What a difference a year makes.

In the summer prior to this, exactly 356 days earlier, the community organized a celebration in honor of him. This celebration took place after he and the Panthers successfully made it to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Unfortunately, they were defeated in five games by the victorious Vegas Golden Knights. However, this past Wednesday, he triumphantly showcased hockey’s Holy Grail to the delight of all.

Montour, whose father, Cam, is Indigenous Canadian, is of Mohawk descent and grew up in Ohsweken, a village inside Six Nations, which has the highest population of any First Nation in Canada. He was born 11 miles away in Brantford, hometown of the NHL’s all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky, and spent his childhood between Six Nations and the southwestern Ontario city of Chatham.

The locals in this particular area show immense support for their fellow resident, as evidenced by the fans purchasing life-sized cutouts of Montour and proudly displaying them on their front lawns. This act resulted in a remarkable sum of $10,000 being raised through these sales last year. The entirety of these funds was then allocated to benefit six minor sports associations in Six Nations, namely Six Nations Minor Softball, Six Nations Minor Hockey, Six Nations Figure Skating Club, Six Nations Lacrosse Association, Six Nations Girls Field Lacrosse, and Six Nations Boys Field Lacrosse.

In the midst of the 2023 Final against the Golden Knights, a planned electricity interruption posed a threat, potentially preventing the public from witnessing one of the games. However, civic leaders swiftly intervened and extended a warm invitation to Montour supporters. They organized a watch party at the nearby community center, equipped with a generator, ensuring everyone could still enjoy the game.

A year later, Montour-mania escalated to an unprecedented level.

A two-mile parade route was filled with numerous fans who eagerly awaited the sight of their beloved Montour Stanley Cup champions. Many of these passionate supporters were donning special T-shirts, which were sold with the intention of benefiting the same six minor sports associations. In a show of support, red shirts were tied around roadside mailboxes to honor both Montour and the Panthers. As the procession drew closer to the local arena, one individual proudly raised the Cup towards a house adorned with celebratory balloons and two massive banners. These banners depicted his iconic No. 62 and an official Panthers flag, symbolizing the collective joy and pride felt by the community.

Montour expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at such a high level, stating that it is both a privilege and an honor. He further mentioned that being able to share this experience with his loved ones has been incredibly special to him. Today, he is excited to extend this joyous occasion to everyone.

Since the Panthers achieved a 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Final on June 24, Montour has experienced an eventful month.

During the regular season, he accumulated a total of 33 points, comprising of eight goals and 25 assists. Throughout the Panthers Cup run, he contributed 11 points, including three goals and eight assists. Throughout this period, he was aware that being a pending unrestricted free agent meant that Florida’s salary cap problems could potentially prevent him from playing another game in a Panthers jersey, despite it being the most unforgettable game of his career.

On July 1, he officially inked a contract with the Seattle Kraken, securing a lucrative deal worth $50 million over a span of seven years (equating to an average annual value of $7.14 million). Ever since, he and his family have embarked on multiple trips to the Pacific Northwest, actively seeking a new place to call home.

Irrespective of the jersey he dons, he expressed that the immense support he has received from the people in this region has been truly astounding.

“It’s amazing to witness the overwhelming support I’ve received from the community, especially when I hear my parents talk about it in relation to my growth and progress over the past few years of playing,” Montour expressed. “The number of people who turned up at the community hall to support me was truly remarkable.”

After experiencing the stroke of luck and successfully returning to win this time, I have made it clear to others that today is not only about my achievements, but also about embracing and celebrating the accomplishments of everyone else. I feel enthusiastic about the opportunity to share this moment with others.

Sherri-Lyn Hill, the chief of the Six Nations Elected Council, was also among those who shared the same sentiment.

“Chief Hill expressed admiration for him, highlighting his ability to inspire others as a positive role model and exemplify teamwork, making him an excellent influence for our youth to emulate.”

Chief Hill made a valid point regarding the situation. Once the parade concluded, approximately 300 children eagerly awaited the opportunity to meet Montour and see the Cup at the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Center.

However, it’s highly likely that Helena Logan, 99, was the most thrilled individual on that particular day. Positioned in front of a motor home at Ohsweken Speedway, where the parade commenced, she proudly displayed a sign featuring a picture of Montour with the Cup, alongside his No. 62. The sign also boasted the words “99 Yr old Fan,” making it clear that Helena was an avid supporter.

When questioned about Montour’s plan to bring the Cup to the reserve, Helena expressed her delight by stating, “It is simply marvelous.”

On Wednesday, there were others in these parts who shared the same sentiment.