Brandon Montour: Ethnicity, Family Tribute, Salary & Leave
A single phone call in early 2025 derailed Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour’s season, sending him home for a deeply personal week. He returned to share that his older brother Cameron died after a years-long battle with ALS, leading to this timeline of the tribute and his return to the ice.
Current team: Seattle Kraken ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Age: 31 (Sportsnet) ·
2025 assists: 4 in 4 games ·
Avg ice time: 22:48
Quick snapshot
- Montour took a leave of absence from the Kraken for a family matter (The Hockey News)
- His older brother Cameron died after a multi-year battle with ALS at age 35 (FOX 13 Seattle)
- Montour returned to the Kraken on Saturday after missing four games (FOX 13 Seattle)
- No timeline for Montour’s full emotional recovery
- Whether additional family support is needed
- Specific details of Cameron’s ALS journey beyond public statements
- Early 2025: Montour leaves Kraken after 4-3 shootout loss to Senators (FOX 13 Seattle)
- Saturday (return date): Montour rejoins team, confirms brother’s death (NHL.com)
- Montour is expected to return to the lineup when ready (The Hockey News)
- Team continues to support his privacy (The Hockey News)
What ethnicity is Brandon Montour?
Montour was born in Brantford, Ontario, and grew up in the nearby community of Ohsweken on the Six Nations reserve. His Haudenosaunee (Mohawk) heritage has been a recurring theme in his public profile.
Montour is one of only a small handful of Indigenous players in the NHL. His visibility as a Haudenosaunee-Canadian athlete has inspired young players from First Nations communities across Canada.
Five key figures from the available data tell the story of Montour’s 2025 season and personal crisis.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 31 (as of 2025 season) | Sportsnet |
| Assists in 4 games (2025) | 4 | Sportsnet |
| Average ice time per game | 22:48 | Sportsnet |
| Brother’s age at death | 35 | NHL.com |
| Games missed during leave | 4 | FOX 13 Seattle |
What happened to Brandon Montour’s family?
On Monday, Montour’s older brother Cameron died at age 35 after a multi-year battle with ALS (NHL.com). Cameron was a father to two young daughters and had been living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a nervous-system disease that attacks cells in the brain and spinal cord (NHL.com).
“It was a rough week.”
Brandon Montour, via FOX 13 Seattle
Montour said through tears after returning to the Kraken: I’m very proud, very happy to be his brother
(FOX 13 Seattle).
Why did Brandon Montour take a leave of absence?
The Seattle Kraken announced Montour’s temporary leave on Saturday, citing a family matter and requesting privacy (Sportsnet). No further details were initially shared (The Hockey News). The timing of the leave—immediately after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators—meant Montour missed four consecutive games (FOX 13 Seattle).
“Brandon Montour is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. We ask that his privacy be respected.”
Seattle Kraken statement, via The Hockey News
For the Kraken, losing a top-four defenseman for four games—even for the most compassionate reason—meant a hole in the lineup during a tight playoff race. Montour’s averaging 22:48 of ice time per game (Sportsnet) makes him almost irreplaceable on the blue line.
The Kraken’s statement underscores their commitment to player well-being over immediate competitive needs.
How much does Brandon Montour make a year?
While exact salary breakdowns aren’t public, Montour signed a seven-year, $50 million contract with the Seattle Kraken in July 2024. His annual cap hit of $7.14 million was widely reported at the time. The contract reflects his status as a top-pairing defenseman coming off a Stanley Cup win with the Florida Panthers.
Where did Brandon Montour grow up?
Montour learned hockey on outdoor rinks in the area before moving up through junior leagues. His brother Cameron’s ALS battle brought renewed attention to the family’s roots in the Six Nations community.
Montour is one of only a small handful of Indigenous players in the NHL. His visibility as a Haudenosaunee-Canadian athlete has inspired young players from First Nations communities across Canada.
His journey from the Six Nations reserve to the NHL exemplifies the growing representation of Indigenous athletes in professional hockey.
What is Brandon Montour’s NHL career history?
Montour was drafted 55th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2014. He debuted in the NHL in 2016 and spent five seasons between Anaheim and Buffalo before being traded to the Florida Panthers in 2021. With Florida, he won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and was named an All-Star in the 2023-24 season. He signed with the Seattle Kraken as a free agent on July 1, 2024. In 2025, before his leave, Montour had four assists in four games and averaged over 22 minutes per night (Sportsnet).
Timeline
- 2014: Drafted 55th overall by Anaheim Ducks
- 2016: NHL debut with Anaheim
- 2021: Traded to Florida Panthers
- 2024: Won Stanley Cup with Florida; signed 7-year, $50M contract with Seattle Kraken
- Early 2025: Leave of absence; brother Cameron dies from ALS
- Late January 2025: Returns to Kraken lineup
This timeline highlights Montour’s rapid ascent in the NHL and the sudden personal interruption in early 2025.
Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Leave of absence announced on Saturday for a family matter (Sportsnet)
- Cameron Montour died from ALS at age 35 (NHL.com)
- Montour missed four games (FOX 13 Seattle)
- Returned to team on Saturday (FOX 13 Seattle)
- 4 assists, 22:48 avg ice time in 2025 (Sportsnet)
What’s unclear
- Exact timeline of Cameron’s ALS diagnosis and progression
- Specific date of Montour’s return to game action
- Additional family support or memorial plans
Quotes
“It was a rough week.”
Brandon Montour to reporters, via FOX 13 Seattle
“I’m very proud, very happy to be his brother.”
Brandon Montour, via FOX 13 Seattle
“Brandon Montour is taking a leave of absence for personal reasons. We ask that his privacy be respected.”
Seattle Kraken, via
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