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STEVE MONTADOR: 1979-2015


TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards


The Panthers held a moment of silence for defenseman Steve Montador who was found dead in his suburban Toronto home on Sunday morning.


Montador, 35, spent three seasons with the Panthers from 2005-08 and played for five other NHL teams as well.
Popular with teammates and fans alike, Montador had been open about his battle with depression he says was caused by concussions.
"I consider Monty one of my closest friends,'' said St. Louis defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, a teammate in Florida.
"I heard about it just before we got to the rink. I'm still in disbelief. I don't know what happened. It sucks. I don't think anyone who ever played with him had a bad word to say. He was always happy, smiling. I saw him earlier this year in L.A., spoke to him at Christmas. I wish I would have called him more often.''
Luongo only spent one season with Montador but the two had a lasting relationship. Montador frequented the Italian restaurant Luongo's in-laws owned and the two stayed in touch.
"I've been sad all day. He's been in my thoughts the entire day,'' Luongo said. "He's my age and that's kind of a reality check. You never know what a day will bring. It's tough to hear news like this.''
Martin Gelinas -- who played with Montador with the Flames and Panthers -- fought back tears as he spoke to reporters in Calgary.
"Nobody has a bad thing to say about Steve,'' Gelinas said. "He was a fun guy to be around.''


Photo courtesy of @DavidDwork


 


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