© Walt Neubrand/HHOF

In a remarkable display of tradition, every NHL team that triumphs in winning the Stanley Cup grants each player and chosen staff member a unique summer day to commemorate and partake in the oldest trophy in North American sports. Since its inception in 1893, this singular cup has been awarded exclusively to one deserving team, leading Phil Pritchard, the esteemed “Keeper of the Cup” and employee of the Hockey Hall of Fame, to aptly state, “You don’t simply win the Stanley Cup, you momentarily possess it.”

The Cup has traveled across North America and Europe, conquering mountains and enjoying poolside moments alongside the countless stories shared by Pritchard and his Cup-keeping colleagues. On Wednesday, free-agent defenseman Brandon Montour of the Kraken brought the Cup to Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario, which is the largest First Nations reserve in Canada in terms of population, with over 27,000 members and an additional 13,000 residents. The Six Nations comprise the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora nations. The local parade, eagerly awaited and estimated to attract 10,000 to 15,000 attendees according to local officials, ended up drawing over 20,000 people.

Montour, accompanied by his wife Ryian, expressed, “The evening has been absolutely insane. We are moments away from joining our intimate gathering of close friends and family, although I must clarify that it is by no means a small affair. Nevertheless, we are thrilled about it.”

Montour, who has Mohawk heritage, spent his early years in Oshwegen, a town located within the reserve, before moving to Waterloo (IA) to play for the USHL team. Despite the large crowd along the parade route, the defenseman for the Kraken mentioned that he recognized many familiar faces.

© Walt Neubrand/HHOF

Montour expressed, “Without a doubt, the reserve remains a quaint and small town. Identifying and recognizing people we were familiar with was effortless. It was an incredibly enjoyable experience.”

After joyfully spending around a week alongside his Florida Panthers comrades, the defenseman known for his remarkable offensive skills and ability to log significant minutes excitedly anticipated a beach parade in Ft. Lauderdale. However, he surprised everyone by signing with the Kraken during the initial hour of NHL free agency on July 1, only to embark on a tranquil week-long vacation in Mexico.

Former Anaheim Ducks teammate Adam Henrique and 2024 Cup Final opponent Adam Montour joined forces last Friday to co-host the fourth annual Henrique Montour Golf Classic. The event saw an impressive turnout of over 216 participants, all coming together to raise funds for the Henrique Montour Foundation. This foundation is dedicated to supporting local youth who have a desire to participate in team sports but lack the necessary financial means.

In addition to their fundraising efforts, Montour has also taken the initiative to visit various First Nations reserves in Canada. Through these visits, he aims to identify young players who are in need of support to pursue hockey and other team sports. Interestingly, Henrique and Montour share a unique connection as they both attended the same high school, albeit at different times due to a four-year age difference. However, their time together in Anaheim has brought them closer than ever before.

Following that was an emotional and historic Cup day on Wednesday. Now, with a sigh of relief, Montour can shift his focus towards the Kraken and the next exciting phase of his successful hockey career.

Montour expressed, “The noise level at Climate Pledge Arena whenever I play there is simply astounding. The enthusiasm displayed by the fans towards this team is truly remarkable. Being a part of a relatively new organization is an incredible experience. While Florida is not a new team, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time was a momentous event that impacted not just the fans but everyone associated with the organization. The objective now is to achieve that same feat once more, this time with the Kraken.”

Seattle fans will no doubt appreciate that sort of anticipation from Montour, who has heard from plenty of excited new teammates through texts and phone calls. Montour’s last two seasons with Florida, which included two trips to the Stanley Cup Final, have been the D-man’s best in all zones. He led all Florida teammates in minutes played during the regular season (more than 23 minutes) and ranked second (22 minutes-plus), trailing only playoffs MVP contender D-man Gustav Forsling.

During the last two seasons of his 10-year NHL career, the 30-year-old defenseman has truly showcased his offensive prowess and skill set. Playing for both Anaheim and Buffalo before landing in Florida, he recorded an impressive total of 16 goals and 57 assists, accumulating 73 points throughout the 2022-23 regular season. Additionally, he proved instrumental in Florida’s triumph in the Eastern Conference during the 2023 postseason, contributing eight goals and five assists. Notably, Montour played a crucial role in the Florida power play, serving as the “quarterback” for one of the Panthers’ units and amassing four goals and an astounding 46 assists over the course of the last two seasons.

© Walt Neubrand/HHOF

Montour experienced a decline in his regular season performance during the 2023-24 season due to undergoing shoulder surgery shortly after the 2023 Cup Final. He was unable to rejoin the Florida lineup until late November, playing a total of 66 games and achieving eight goals and 25 assists. In addition, he contributed three goals and eight assists in the playoffs. However, with his shoulder now completely healed and no limitations on his summer preparation for the upcoming season, there is optimism that Montour will be able to increase his points output.

Montour stated that throughout the entire summer and into training camp, his sole focus was on rehab. He didn’t have the opportunity to engage in any actual training. It wasn’t until the second week of training camp that he began skating, and he was unable to shoot a puck until that time as well.

Monsour expressed that the injury and rehabilitation process pushed his patience to the limit, but he understood that undergoing proper rehabilitation would eventually lead to a fully healed shoulder. As the calendar approaches early August next week, Monsour is prepared to engage in intense and dedicated training and skating sessions in preparation for the upcoming season with Seattle.

Montour expressed his determination, stating, “I will increase my efforts and intensify my training. I am highly motivated and thrilled to engage in it once more. I will commence skating and elevate the level of intensity.”

The next chapter of Kraken hockey starts now, be part of it. Season Ticket Memberships are available.