The father of the late Steve Montador, who has been embroiled in a nine-year legal battle with the National Hockey League, is closer to having his day in court after a judge ruled Wednesday that a trial in the case will begin March 27, 2025, in Cook County circuit court in Chicago.
A U.S. federal court judge has terminated a five-year-old wrongful death lawsuit filed by the father of the late Steve Montador, which alleged the National Hockey League has promoted violence and profited off of it while not adequately advising players of the risks of repeated long-term brain injuries.
In a Nov. 24 order, Judge John Z. Lee wrote that he was granting in part and denying in part the NHL’s motion for summary judgment in the case.
While Lee wrote in his 15-page order that some claims made by Montador’s father, Paul, were completely preempted by the NHL’s collective labour agreement with the NHLPA, which directs players with medical-related grievances to pursue private arbitration, he also wrote that several claims can still be pursued by Paul Montador in state court.