Former NHL player found dead in his home

Former NHL defenseman Steve Montador was found dead in his Mississauga, Ontario, home early Sunday morning. He was 35.

Montador made his NHL debut in 2001 with the Calgary Flames and played for six teams in parts of 10 seasons. He had 33 goals and 98 assists in 571 career games.

Montador played for the Flames, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks during his career.

According to the Mississauga News, a friend of Montador’s discovered his body at 2 a.m. and he was pronounced dead just shortly after police arrived. Foul play is not suspected and an autopsy will be conducted, police said.

“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing of Steve Montador,” the Flames said in a team statement. “Steve will always be remembered to us as a member of the Flames family. We are very proud that he wore the Calgary uniform over six seasons and also of his important contributions during that period both on and off the ice. We would like to express our sincere condolences to the Montador family. This is a terrible loss of a wonderful young man; a great teammate known for his big heart and character. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure to have known and worked with him.”

Montador, who was undrafted after playing five seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, signed with the Flames in April 2000. He won the Calder Cup with the Saint John Flames in his rookie season in the American Hockey League.

Flames assistant coach and former teammate Martin Gelinas said in a statement:

“Steve became a very good friend during our days as teammates in Calgary and Florida. He became a member of my family. I am very sad to hear the news today of his passing. He was a wonderful guy and great teammate. Caring, intelligent … everybody loved Steve. He was so full of energy and life. Steve worked hard for everything he got and made a name for himself in the NHL. I will always remember him for his passion, desire and positive energy around the locker room. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”

Flames assistant general manager and former teammate Craig Conroy said, “I loved playing with Steve Montador. He was the ultimate team guy and great person. The type of person willing to do anything for his teammates and friends. I remember Steve as playing such an important part of our 2004 Stanley Cup Finals team. He had the ability to bring everyone together and was so enjoyable to be around; he would light up a room with his presence. I’m so sad today to hear the news that we have lost an important member of both the Flames and hockey family. We will all miss you dearly Monty.”

The Ducks expressed their condolences on Twitter:

“It is with great sadness to learn of the death of former #NHLDucks defenseman Steve Montador. Our thoughts go out to Steve’s family.”

Born in Vancouver, Montador retired from professional hockey in 2013 after playing 11 games in the Russian Kontinental Hockey League.

According to the Los Angeles Times, shortly before his retirement, Montador took a leave of absence from the team because of lingering effects from a concussion he suffered while with the Blackhawks in March 2012. Montador spoke about his battle with concussion symptoms during an interview with CSNChicago.com in 2013.

“With deep sadness we mourn the unfortunate loss of former Blackhawk Steve Montador,” the Blackhawks organization said in a statement. “We join the many others throughout the NHL in keeping Steve’s family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The Sabres said in a team statement: “The Buffalo Sabres were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Steve Montador. Steve was a passionate hockey player, a valued member of the Sabres family and a highly respected individual off the ice. Our thoughts and condolences are with Steve’s family and friends during this difficult time.”