Asked to describe how he plays, new Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour used an intriguing first two words: “Enjoyment, love.”
Come again?
“When it’s an intense environment and games are stressful, keeping it loose and enjoying each game as it lies.”
That’s part of the benefit of signing a free agent who’s played in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals with the Florida Panthers, winning the Cup last month over Edmonton. The Kraken, who had entered discussions with the defenseman’s agents during the season, signed him to a seven-year, $50 million contract.
“I take pride in my offense. Eating a lot of minutes, penalty kill, power play,” said Montour, who’s also ready to embrace a leadership role in the dressing room and the Seattle community. “A lot of the players have reached out with phone calls and texts. I’m exicted to meet everyone.”
Defenseman Brings Risks, Bigger Rewards
“I watched him a few years ago and thought, ‘He’s (merely) a pretty good player,'” said NHL Network’s Tony Granato. “He had that breakout season a couple of years ago. He’s got a swagger to him; when he gets the puck, he’s taking charge. Got a chance to have a big impact.”
That swagger occasionally gets Montour into hot water, cautions NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek. “Montour is the kind of player that has risk-reward. He’s going to make some mistakes along the way. We saw that happen in the Stanley Cup Final; a pass he made was deflected and ended up in a shorthanded goal. That’s part of the package.”
Hradek makes clear, though, that Montour’s rewards far outweigh his risks. “He’s a great skater. You’ve got to focus on the fact he’s going to help you get out of the zone multiple times in a game. He’s going to jump in on plays, help you attack more offensively.”
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? Montour Could
In deciding among what he called “a ton of options” among free-agent suitors, Montour weighed “if we wanted to go with a team that was up-and-coming with a rebuild, or a team that wanted to win now, or a team that needs to win now.” He circled back to his orginal theme to explain how the Kraken had swayed him. “The love was there.”
And $50 million. And the chance to replicate bringing a Cup to a community for the first time – or in Seattle’s case, the first time in over a century. “How much that meant, not just to (Panthers) fans, but everyone who’s been around that organization. To do that again, that’s the goal. My family and I thought that would be pretty cool to do.”
Six Nations, One Stanley Cup
Montour has one more happy duty to perform as a member of the Panthers. His “Day with the Cup” will include a parade July 24, when he takes it home to the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ontario. Montour, of Mohawk descent, was born in the region located above Lake Erie, about 65 miles southwest of Toronto, 90 miles west of Buffalo.
“We are very proud of Brandon and his accomplishments,” Chief Sherri-Lyn Hill said, according to CBC.ca. “This celebration is historic and we’re glad Brandon is sharing his day with Six Nations.” Aunt Jaime Montour said after a Game 7 watch party back in Six Nations, “Brandon, you have no idea the impact for First Nations people. No clue how big it is for them. To inspire not just this community, but other communities in Canada. It’s giving hope,” she said. “So many members of the community are going through hard times and this brought them together.”
From SixNations.ca: “We are currently the only First Nation community that includes all six Haudenosaunee nations (Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and Tuscarora). The Six Nations of the Grand River is the most populous First Nation in Canada. We have a long and rich history with Settler Canada, stretching back to the American Revolution when we were allied with the British. In return for our loyalty, we were promised lands under the Treaty of Haldimand. Our current territory is only a fraction of the promised area.”
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