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‘Anxiety and depression’ came with Montador’s concussion

Steve Montador

Yesterday, it was Chris Pronger talking of the “dark days” he’s experienced while recovering from a serious concussion.

Today, it was another NHL defenseman’s turn to open up -- Chicago’s Steve Montador.

Montador suffered a concussion last February. He returned for one game in March, but only lasted four minutes before he was pulled from action and shut down for the year.

It’s been a “roller coaster” ever since.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty, a lot of fear, a lot of anxiety and depression that comes with that,” said Montador, per CSNChicago.com. “I’ve had a lot of help to work through that and I feel like I’ve taken the right steps.”

On the depression the 33-year-old has experienced: “The first time I ever heard the word depression… there’s some stigma around it. What I’ve learned from my condition (is that) actual neural transmitters are being prevented from connecting and being used in the brain, so it’s an actual physical issue.”

Fortunately, Montador is feeling much better these days and is getting closer to making his return to game action.

“Just every day is a brand new day and there’s a lot of enjoyment,” he said. “I love being around the guys, I’m glad to be on the road here. To feel myself get better out there, I’m just filled with a lot of gratitude.”

The undefeated-in-regulation Blackhawks are in Denver to take on the Avalanche tonight.