The Seattle Kraken and the hockey world united in support of Brandon Montour, who made his emotional return to the ice during the morning skate ahead of the team’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.
Montour, a veteran defenseman and newly signed free agent with the Kraken, had been away from the team on a leave of absence to attend to a deeply personal family matter — the passing of his beloved older brother, Cameron Montour, who lost a courageous battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Cameron, who passed away on Monday at the age of 34, had been fighting the debilitating neurological disease since the end of 2021. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, gradually robbing those affected of muscle control.
Despite the toll of the illness, Brandon said that his brother faced the disease with remarkable strength, dignity, and positivity until his final moments. “He battled hard … he was at home battling right until Monday, when it happened,” Montour shared emotionally during a post-practice media session with Breakaway On SI.
“He was smiling right until the end. I’m trying to honor him; I do the best I can every single day regardless of who’s here or not. Nothing like that changes, but he’s watching down and that’s all I can ask.”
Cameron leaves behind his wife and three young daughters, who were his greatest source of pride and joy. A GoFundMe page, originally created to support Cameron and his family during his illness, reflected how deeply loved he was in his community.
Friends and family described him as loyal, selfless, and someone who always looked out for others. Brandon’s return to the team was met with warmth and compassion from his teammates and coaching staff.
Kraken head coach Lane Lambert spoke about how the organization rallied behind Montour during this difficult period. “Clearly, our hearts have been with him,” Lambert said.
“The support has been with him, and we’re going to have to continue to support him through this time. It’s important to have him back, not only as a player but as a leader. Hopefully being back on the ice will help him heal and take his mind off things, even just a little.”
Montour, now in his 12th NHL season, joined Seattle as a free agent in July 2024 after a successful stint with the Florida Panthers. Over the course of his career, he has accumulated 297 points across 605 games, known for his dynamic offensive play and leadership on the blue line.
Before his leave, he had already tallied four assists early in the 2024–25 season, building off a previous campaign in which he recorded 41 points (18 goals and 23 assists) for Seattle.
As he returns to the ice, Brandon Montour’s focus is on honoring his brother’s legacy both personally and professionally. His strength in the face of loss has resonated deeply within the hockey community — a testament not only to his resilience but also to the powerful bond he shared with Cameron.
“He’s watching down,” Montour said. “All I can do is keep playing hard, keep smiling, and make him proud.” Through his courage and perseverance, Brandon continues to embody his brother’s spirit — proving that love, even in loss, can be the most powerful source of strength.
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