Watch: Brandon Montour reveals which Olympic sport he would've loved to compete
People lined the main streets in Ohsweken, a community within Six Nations of the Grand River, on Wednesday to welcome hometown NHL hero
Brandon Montour as he brought home the Stanley Cup.
"I've told people today is obviously about me and what I've done, but today is about everyone else and to share that with them,"
Montour said.
The defenceman spoke to reporters midday Wednesday before the start of a parade in Six Nations, near Brantford, Ont., to celebrate the Florida Panthers' championship win.
Sherri-Lyn Hill, elected chief of Six Nations of the Grand River, wears a shirt with Brandon Montour's name on it. The NHL star visited his hometown with the Stanley Cup on Wednesday.
Sherri-Lyn Hill, elected chief of Six Nations of the Grand River, wears a shirt with Brandon Montour's name on it. The NHL star visited his hometown with the Stanley Cup on Wednesday.
Sherri-Lyn Hill, elected chief of Six Nations of the Grand River, wears a shirt with Montour's name on it during the NHL defenceman's visit with the Stanley Cup to his hometown on Wednesday. (Nathan Fung/CBC)
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Montour, 30, who's Mohawk and partly grew up in Six Nations, and his Panthers teammates beat the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7 on June 24 in Florida. As is tradition, members of the winning team get a day with the Cup.
"I was a kid once and I grew up idolizing players, not just in hockey but lacrosse. I think when you have one of your own ... reach this level, and especially a day like today, it's just a bonus for any kid,"
Montour said.
"You can't really describe how it feels, but I'm very grateful and honoured to be in the position I'm in."
'Six Nations is very proud of you'
Six Nations hosted a celebratory parade, which started at Ohsweken Speedway and ended at the Six Nations Sports and Culture Memorial Arena.
"Brandon Montour is so inspirational and a positive role model for our children and youth,"
said Sherri-Lyn Hill, elected chief of Six Nations of the Grand River.
"There's so much he shows our youth with his teamwork, his drive and hockey that just helps children to dream big."
Ontario Regional Chief Abram Benedict also congratulated Montour, saying he was proof of the great things youth across Turtle Island can accomplish.
Over 300 youth were waiting to meet Montour, said Greg Frazer, an elected councillor in Six Nations, earlier in the day.
On the left, Brandon Montour and Josh Johnson pose for a picture on the ice after Montour and the Florida Panthers won the NHL's Stanley Cup. On the right, stands Jaemyn Johnson, Josh's son. He said he wants to be like Montour when he grows up.
On the left, Brandon Montour and Josh Johnson pose for a picture on the ice after Montour and the Florida Panthers won the NHL's Stanley Cup. On the right, stands Jaemyn Johnson, Josh's son. He said he wants to be like Montour when he grows up.
Montour and Josh Johnson, on the left, pose for a picture on the ice after Montour and the Panthers won the Stanley Cup. On the right is Jaemyn Johnson, Josh's son, who says he wants to be like Montour when he grows up. (Submitted by Josh Johnson and Nathan Fung/CBC)
Josh Johnson and his 10-year-old son Jaemyn were among the many spectators cheering on Montour.
Johnson said he and Montour grew up playing lacrosse together. Johnson and Jaemyn also watched Montour play in person during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Johnson said he flew in for Game 7 and was with Montour in the dressing room after the big win.
"It was an unreal moment for sure to be there to support him,"
he said, adding the parade is great for the community.
Jaemyn said it was cool to see Montour bring the Cup home.
He also had a message for the hockey star.
"I want to be like you one day."
Helena Logan, 99 and standing on the left, said she's a fan of Montour and said it's incredible he brought the cup to Six Nations.
Helena Logan, 99 and standing on the left, said she's a fan of Montour and said it's incredible he brought the cup to Six Nations.
Helena Logan, 99, left, says she's a fan of Montour and it's incredible he brought the Stanley Cup to Six Nations. (Nathan Fung/CBC)
Helena Logan, 99, said she wanted to shake Montour's hand and it was
"just wonderful"
he brought the Cup home.
'He's made history,' says Montour's aunt
During his NHL career, Montour has also played with the Anaheim Ducks and the Buffalo Sabres. He joined Florida in 2021 and will start the new NHL season with the Seattle Kraken, after the team announced on July 1 that it had signed him to a seven-year deal.
In an interview with the CBC's Metro Morning in June, Montour's aunt, Jaime Montour, said she
"choked"
when she saw her nephew hoist the Stanley Cup.
"Brandon, you have no idea the impact that he is doing for First Nations people, no clue how big it is for them � to inspire a community, not just this community, but other communities in Canada,"
she said.
Jaime Lynne Montour, aunt of Brandon, said she's proud of her nephew and he's always dreamed of playing in the NHL.
Jaime Lynne Montour, aunt of Brandon, said she's proud of her nephew and he's always dreamed of playing in the NHL.
Jaime Lynne Montour, Brandon's aunt, says she's proud of her nephew and he always dreamed about playing in the NHL. (Nathan Fung/CBC)
She was also at the parade on Wednesday, saying Montour always dreamed about playing in the NHL.
"That name Montour is going to last for eternity now. It's a blessing ... he's made history."
After the Cup-clinching game, a post on the Six Nations elected council's Facebook page read:
"For the first time in the modern era of the National Hockey League, a member of Six Nations of the Grand River has won hockey's greatest prize. Congrats #62, #WelcometoSixNayStanley."
Montour and fellow NHL player
Adam Henrique, a member of the Oilers, hold an annual golf tournament that raises money for several charities in the region that help children stay active through sports. This year's fourth annual tournament took place July 19 at the MontHill Golf & Country Club in Caledonia.
Montour told reporters that despite winning the Stanley Cup, the biggest change in his life in the past year has been becoming a father.
He added he'll be looking for a house for his family in Seattle and is eager to relax during August.
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Sat, August 3, 2024 at 1:26 p.m. EDT�2 min read
Aside from Leon Marchand, who clinched his fourth swimming gold medal yesterday, another French athlete, 21-year-old pole vaulter Anthony Ammirati, has become an instant viral phenomenon after an incident involving his crotch.
Ammirati missed his target height and knocked down the pole with his bulge on Saturday, which caused him to fail his qualifying track for the final. The scene left commentators scrambling to find words but it quickly sparked memes and jokes all over social media.
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"When you're about to win an Olympic medal but your massive d*ck gets in the way while the whole world watches in slow motion,"
one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote.
While social media has been flooded with jokes over Ammirati's crotch, French outlets are highlighting the unfortunate twist of fate for Ammirati who won't have another chance to compete for a medal and has exited the Olympics, along with other French pole vaulters. But the viral scene is providing needed comedic relief amid a series of controversies surrounding these Olympic Games which has seen several people, including the event's artistic director Thomas Jolly and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, victim of online hate speech.
Overall, French athletes are thriving at the Olympics with a total of 41 medals so far � 12 of which are gold medals. The French team is ranking second on the medal table behind China. Australia, the U.S. and U.K. teams are taking third, fourth and fifth, respectively. Swimming champion Marchand alone has won four Olympic Golds in Men's individual medley, butterfly and breaststroke. Other winning French Olympians include heavyweight judoka Teddy Riner, who took his third Olympic individual gold medal on Friday night.
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3 AOUT | 10 ANSWERS Watch: Brandon Montour reveals which Olympic sport he would've loved to compete Do you think Brandon Montour's visit will inspire more youth in Six Nations to pursue sports? |
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