© 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 came along with a unique companion.

Stanley, a magnificent 37-pound alloy crafted from silver and nickel, shines brilliantly as the ultimate symbol of NHL dominance.

Both individuals were welcomed as heroes by the village of 1,500 people, with nearly all of them lining the streets to honor Montour’s day with the Stanley Cup.

Daring to dream, the 30-year-old defenseman, who secured the title with the Florida Panthers, sought to inspire all the young residents on the reserve with his message.

He expressed, “There was a time when I was a child, and I admired athletes, not only in hockey but also in lacrosse. And I believe that when you see someone from your own community or someone you know, even if you don’t know me personally, achieve this level of success, especially on a day like today, it serves as an extra motivation for any aspiring child who dreams of reaching such heights.”

It’s hard to put into words, but I feel incredibly grateful and honored to be in the position I am right now. Winning at this level is an unbeatable feeling.

© Mike Zeisberger

He lifted the trophy triumphantly over his head, marking one of the numerous awe-inspiring moments he would cherish with the entire town.

What a difference a year makes.

After their defeat in the five-game Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, the community celebrated him last summer, 356 days prior to his showcasing of hockey’s Holy Grail on Wednesday. This celebration followed his remarkable journey with the Panthers, ultimately leading them to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final.

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, Ontario, which is the 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.

In a community where residents wholeheartedly rally behind their own, supporters in the area purchased life-sized Montour cutouts and proudly displayed them on their front yards. These sales generated approximately $10,000 last year, and every penny was contributed to the six minor sports associations in Six Nations: 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, an unexpected power outage threatened to deny the local residents the opportunity to watch one of the games. However, swift action from civic leaders ensured a solution was found. They graciously invited Montour supporters to gather at the nearby community center, equipped with a generator, for a watch party.

A whole new level of Montour-mania was reached after one year.

A two-mile parade route was filled with hundreds of enthusiastic fans, many of whom were proudly sporting Montour Stanley Cup champion T-shirts. These shirts were sold, and the proceeds were once again donated to the same six minor sports associations. Along the roadside, mailboxes were adorned with red shirts, symbolizing support for both Montour and the Panthers. As the procession neared the local arena, he raised the Cup triumphantly towards a house adorned with celebratory balloons and two large banners. One banner showcased his iconic No. 62, while the other proudly displayed an official Panthers flag.

Montour expressed his gratitude and pride in playing at such a high level, an opportunity he cherishes. He mentioned how he has been fortunate to involve his loved ones in this journey. Today, he is excited to share this moment with a wider audience.

Montour has had a busy month ever since the Panthers emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of the Final on June 24.

During the regular season, he accumulated 33 points, with eight goals and 25 assists. Throughout the Panthers’ Cup run, he contributed 11 points, including three goals and eight assists. Despite being aware of Florida’s salary cap struggles as a pending unrestricted free agent, he acknowledged the possibility that his last game, which happened to be the most unforgettable of his career, might have been played while wearing a Panthers jersey.

On July 1, he inked a $50 million deal with the Seattle Kraken, spanning over seven years with an average annual value of $7.14 million. Following the agreement, he and his family embarked on a journey to explore the Pacific Northwest in hopes of finding their new abode.

He expressed that the support he has received from the people in this area, regardless of the jersey he wears, has been nothing short of “overwhelming,” according to him.

Montour expressed, “Over the past few years, my parents have constantly mentioned the immense support I’ve received from this place, simply through my involvement in playing. Witnessing the overwhelming number of people who gathered at the community hall to show their support for me was truly astonishing.”

After being fortunate enough to return and emerge victorious this time, I have made it clear to others that today is not just about my achievements, but about everyone else who has been a part of this journey. I am genuinely thrilled to share this moment with them.

Sherri-Lyn Hill, the chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council, was also among those included.

“Chief Hill expressed admiration, stating that he finds him incredibly inspiring. He commended him for being a beacon of positivity, an exemplary figure for our youth to emulate, showcasing determination and teamwork.”

Chief Hill made a valid point about the situation. After the parade concluded, around 300 children eagerly awaited inside the Six Nations Sports & Cultural Memorial Center to meet and greet Montour and the Cup.

Undoubtedly, none of them could claim the title of the most enthusiastic individual on this particular day. That distinguished honor, without a doubt, belonged to Helena Logan, a remarkable 99-year-old. Positioned in front of a motor home, surrounded by loved ones and friends at Ohsweken Speedway, where the parade initiated, she proudly displayed a sign featuring a picture of Montour with the Cup alongside his renowned No. 62. Written alongside these visuals were the simple yet impactful words, “99-Year-Old Fan.”

When questioned about Montour’s plan to bring the Cup to the reserve, Helena expressed her delight by calling it a “truly marvelous” event.

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