CHICAGO — As the Chicago Blackhawks celebrated their third Stanley Cup in six seasons, two people who played roles in the franchise were on the minds of many players.
Long-time assistant equipment manager Clint Reif, who spent nine years with the franchise, and Steve Montador, who played two years in the organization, both died in a two-month span earlier this season.
Reif took his own life a few days before the Blackhawks’ holiday break in December. He left behind a wife and four children, who were on the ice after Chicago’s Game 6 clincher Monday night.