The Seattle Kraken close out their four-game preseason slate Saturday at 4 pm against the Canucks in Vancouver.
One play from Thursday’s 4-3 shootout victory over Calgary perfectly demonstrated why Brandon Montour deserved to be named a Kraken assistant captain.
It wasn’t the defenseman’s first goal, a laser that didn’t count because the Flames won an offside challenge. It wasn’t Montour’s second goal, which did count, when he repeated his laser of a shot to bring Seattle within 3-2 in the 3rd period.
Kraken Defenseman’s Goal-Saving Dive
No, the remarkable play came after Ryker Evans had tied the game 3-3. A loose puck squirted behind goalie Philipp Grubauer in the Kraken crease. Seeing this, Montour dove, swept his stick at the puck, and knocked it out of danger just before it could roll over the goal line.
In one way, preseason games don’t count, so by next month no one would have remembered if Montour hadn’t sacrificed his body to keep Calgary from retaking the lead.
But Seattle had under-performed through the first two periods against the Flames’ largely AHL line-up. So it did matter that Montour didn’t care whether it was preseason, regular season, or Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Doing What Champions Do
Montour has that pedigree, winning the Cup with Florida in 2024. His job is to help prevent opposition goals, and he demonstrated a willingness to do whatever it took to meet that job description. That’s leadership by example.
The 32-year-old blueliner relayed an important thought when asked about having the assistant captain “A” stitched to his uniform. “It doesn’t change anything,” Montour replied.
Out of context, that might seem dismissive. Montour meant exactly the opposite. Taking a leadership role was an obligation he was already fulfilling, with or without a letter.
“I’ve experienced a lot in this league, highs and really lows, older groups, younger groups. I’m here long term (a seven year, $50 million contract signed in 2024.) I’m probably the most vocal of the leadership group when the time is needed to speak up. I try to share my experience and help out as much as I can.”
As for leadership style, “Keep it loose, keep it light. I enjoy being at the rink. I think I bring that every single day. On the ice, bring that competitive edge.”
Evans says he’s always learning from watching – and listening – to his D-partner. “He’s done it all, he’s won. You know he’s going to be there to support you. He talks a lot (‘Too much,’ Evans added with a laugh). He’s easy to play with. Great skater.”
Condor’s Swan Song
After five-plus seasons, Bob Condor on Thursday covered his last game as Kraken editor-in-chief. Beforehand, he received a personalized Kraken jersey from captain Jordan Eberle.
Whether working for the team, as sports editor of the Chicago Tribune, as author of nine books, or at any of his other media stops, Bob displayed the finest journalistic traits of his profession – ones that today’s online writers would be well served to study and follow.
He’s a hell of a writer and a hell of a nice guy. For both those reasons, he’ll be sorely missed.
In his farewell Tribune column (covering health and fitness) in 2004, Condor wrote, “It’s corny, I know, but I have always considered my 600 to 800 words each week to be an absolute privilege.”
Bob, the privilege was ours.
Earlier Kraken:
— $45-million Reasons To Have Interest in McMann’s Contract
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks PR Poisons Writers Association
BONUS VIDEO: The WTF explanation on a violent, sketchy 4-3 shoot-out win …
