Former NHL defenseman Steve Montador donated brain to research after numerous concussions

THE unexpected death of this defenseman was the cause of much grief in the NHL community. But a decision made five years ago has him hailed a hero.

FILE - Former NHL Defenseman Steve Montador Dies At 35

A FORMER NHL defenseman, forced to retire after lingering concussion symptoms, has donated his brain to research.

Steve Montador, 35, was found dead at his home in Canada earlier this month, although the cause of his death has yet to be determined.

As no stranger to concussions, Montador made the noble decision five years ago while still playing in the NHL.

Former Calgary Flames teammate and current assistant general manager Craig Conroy echoed the players sentiments shortly following his death.

“He didn’t know when it was going to be, but when it did happen, he wanted to donate his brain,” he told AP.

“That just tells you what kind of person he was. Obviously it’s way too early, but if it helps someone else, that’s what he was always about.”

While many of his friends and former teammates were unaware of the decision, it would appear they have not been shocked by the revelation.

“He was very intellectual himself and looking for answers and trying to figure out what made things work and how to improve things,” retired enforcer George Parros said.

“And if he could donate his brain to figure out how to best treat concussions and things like that, then he would certainly do it.”

The news comes after a number of highly published brain injuries in the NHL.

Following the accidental death of enforcer Derek Boogaard in 2011 it was found he had a degenerative brain condition called Chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Former Buffalo Sabres player Rick Martin and former Detroit Red Wings enforcer Bob Probert were also posthumously diagnosed with the condition.

It is hoped Montador’s sacrifice will help with ongoing research to determine the link between concussions and CTE.

Montador played with six teams over a 10-year NHL career and recorded 131 points in 571 career NHL games.