Ducks Prospect Montour Says He’s Ready to Make an Impact in the NHL

By Kyle Shohara AnaheimDucks.com

Looking noticeably burlier following an offseason training program with Ducks strength and conditioning coach Mark Fitzgerald, highly-prized defenseman Brandon Montour says he put in serious work in the weight room as he prepared for the upcoming season.

“I’ve put on quite a bit of muscle this summer, so I’m around 200 pounds now and I’m happy with that,” he says, during some downtime on the first day of rookie camp. “Speed is key with me, but I haven’t lost any. It was a good summer for me.”

Montour might not be a household name yet around the league, but that could change if he continues on his trajectory.

The 22-year-old’s impact at the American Hockey League level last season was profound. Montour was named to the 2015-16 AHL All-Rookie Team after posting 57 points (12g/45a) in 68 games with the San Diego Gulls in his first full season of professional hockey. He finished the season ranked second among AHL defensemen and third among all league rookies in scoring, and also ranked second in the league in power-play points (5-24=29) and tied for third in assists. He then added five points (all assists) in nine Calder Cup Playoff games.

“It was a good year for me and the team,” he says, helping lead the Gulls to a 39-23-6 record in the regular season, good for second place in the …

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