Advertisement 2
Article content
Brandon Montour lifts the Stanley Cup for fans on his Ohsweken parade route Wednesday afternoon. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Brandon Montour brought the Stanley Cup to Ohsweken Wednesday, July 24.Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Brandon Montour fans showed their support on his Stanley Cup parade route Wednesday, July 24 in Six Nations. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Gracie General, left, with Wayne and Tara General, from Ohsweken, brought a homemade Stanley Cup to Brandon Montour’s Stanley Cup parade in Six Nations Wednesday, July 24. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Hockey fans line up at the Ohsweken arena Wednesday, July 24 to have their photos taken with Brandon Montour and the Stanley Cup. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Florida Panthers season ticket holder Russ Young, right, and family from Weston, Florida traveled to Ohsweken Wednesday, July 24 for Brandon Montour’s day with the Stanley Cup, while visiting family in Canada. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Pamela, Wendy and Sierra White from Smoothtown, Six Nations lined up to see the Stanley Cup with Brandon Montour in Ohsweken Wednesday, July 24. “We’re neighbors and cousins,” Pamela noted. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Jacob Smith, on the left, and Tavin Shawana of Brantford, with Jason Shawana on the right, were joined by family from Manitoulin Island Wednesday, July 24 in Ohsweken for Brandon Montour’s Stanley Cup day, which included photos with Montour. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
James Burning of Ohsweken saw the Stanley Cup for the first time in-person Wednesday, July 24, saying “I love it.” Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Jaelyn Hill, Kendrew Jacobs and Damon Hill of Ohsweken were excited to see Brandon Montour with the Stanley Cup Wednesday afternoon in Ohsweken. “We’re cousins,” Damon said. “He babysat us.” Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Ryan, Gracie, Bo and Darryl Hill of Six Nations lined up to have their picture taken with Brandon Montour and the NHL Stanley Cup Wednesday, July 24 in Ohsweken. “Florida (Panthers) fans until we see the Cup, then Kraken fans,” Ryan laughed. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Brandon Montour, center, rode in Wednesday’s parade in Ohsweken with the Stanley Cup and family. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Brandon Montour’s day with the Stanley Cup included a parade in Ohsweken on July 24.Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
Lucy Pelisek of Hamilton, a hardcore Florida Panthers fan, made the trip to Ohsweken Wednesday, July 24 for Brandon Montour’s Stanley Cup day parade. Photo by CHRIS ABBOTT /Norfolk & Tillsonburg News
All 15 Photos for Gallery
Function Not Available
Full Screen is not supported on this browser version.
You may use a different browser or device to view this in full screen.
Mike Anderson is a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan, but that didn’t stop him from attending Wednesday’s Stanley Cup parade through Ohsweken.
“Are you kidding?” Anderson said when approached and asked about attending the event. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything.
“I’ve only seen the Stanley Cup once before and that was in the Hockey Hall of Fame.”
Seeing it live and being paraded through his hometown was much, much better, Anderson said.
“This is a big deal for Ohsweken,” Anderson said. “It brings everyone in the community to celebrate one of our own, and it is the Stanley Cup.”
Anderson was among a large number of people who gathered in Ohsweken to see Brandon Montour parade hockey’s Holy Grail through the village on Wednesday.
Advertisement 3
Article content
Montour, a defenseman, was a member of the 2024 Cup-winning Florida Panthers.
Like many other people, Sirena Blas was at Ohsweken Speedway on Chiefswood Road for the start of the parade. Following a media conference, Blas worked his way towards Montour and got him to sign a framed photograph of Montour with Burford’s Adam Henrique, an Edmonton Oilers forward.
The photo shows Henrique congratulating Montour after the Panthers defeated the Oilers in Game 7 to win the Cup.
The streets of Ohsweken were lined with people eager to see Montour as the Cup made its way to the Six Nations arena on Fourth Line.
Preston Skye was at the Ohsweken Speedway to see Montour and the Cup. He brought his grandmother, Sharon, and they planned to spend the day celebrating with the community.
Advertisement 4
Article content
Sherri-Lyn Hill, the chief of the Six Nations Elected Band Council, said it was a great to have the Stanley Cup visit the community and have Montour home.
“He is such an inspiration,” Hill said at a pre-parade press conference. “He’s a positive role model, a great example for our young people to follow, with his drive and the way he shows team work.”
Hill was joined by Coun. Greg Frazer and Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict at the press conference.
Frazer said having the Stanley Cup is a “highlight” for his life and something everyone in the community can enjoy.
Speaking at the press conference, Montour said the last four weeks had been “hectic and exciting.”
After spending time celebrating the win with his Florida teammates and fans, Montour has been busy attending various functions, including the annual Henrique-Montour Golf Classic at MontHill Golf and Country Club on July 19.
Advertisement 5
Article content
Montour also signed a new seven-year $50-million deal with the Seattle Kraken. Once that deal was inked, he had to find a place to live in Seattle.
The pace will soon change as Montour begins training for the 2024-25 season with the Kraken.
But on Wednesday, the focus was the community and on the parade.
‘It’s a privilege and an honor to play at this level, and this is something that I’ve been able to share with family and friends,” Montour said. “Today, I get to share it with everyone.”
Montour, who attended Assumption College School, played minor hockey in Cambridge before playing for the Brantford Golden Eagles from 2010 to 2012. He then played a season for the Caledonia Corvairs in 2012-2013.
He was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the second round of the 2014 NHL entry draft and made his NHL debut on Dec. 29, 2016, in a game against the Calgary Flames.
Advertisement 6
Article content
After playing for the Ducks and Buffalo Sabres, Montour was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he had a terrific 2022-23 season with 73 points, including 16 goals.
The Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup final but lost to the Las Vegas Golden Knights in 2023.
Montour said he appreciated the community support he received last year when the team came short of its goal, and again this year when the team won.
People throughout Six Nations showed their support for Montour during both playoff runs and held a special occasion for him after last year’s defeat.
twitter.com/EXPVBall
Article content