The Helping Others Participate Equally (HOPE) organization and the Greater Peterborough Health Services Foundation (GPHSF) have announced that Clare Hutchinson of Peterborough is the 2026 recipient of the Steve Montador Bursary.
The bursary was established in honour of the late Steve Montador to support students transitioning from high school to college or university who are suffering the long-term effects of a sports-related concussion and require a reduced academic course load as result of injury.
Montador — a former Peterborough Pete, NHL defenceman, and HOPE board member and supporter — suffered concussions playing hockey that ultimately ended his career. Prior to his death in February 2015 at age 35, Montador was very vocal about his struggles and his depression, and he made a commitment to be an advocate for others.
An autopsy found Montador suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries including concussions and repeated blows to the head.
Montador’s story is the subject of the 2017 book by the late Ken Dryden titled Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador, and the Future of Hockey.
After Montador’s unexpected death, his friends, fellow HOPE board members, and GPHSF established the bursary initiative, with the first recipient selected in 2018.
Hutchinson, who will be attending Georgian College in the fall to become a paramedic, was selected as the 2026 recipient of the Steve Montador Bursary in recognition of the multiple concussions she has suffered over the past three years while playing several contact sports, including wrestling, hockey, and rugby.
While the concussions effectively ended her ability to play contact sport, the graduating Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School student continues to be physically active, playing several non-contact sports. She also coaches rugby, a sport she loves. As part of the bursary application, Hutchinson’s teacher and coach Kristine McCracken notes her competitive drive, spirit, and determination.
“Through it all, she has demonstrated a strong work ethic, resiliency and leadership, both on and off the field,” McCracken states. “She is resilient and adaptable; if she couldn’t be on the field, she would support in another way … That’s Clare, a true leader that supports her team in whatever capacity she can.”
With files from Natalie Hamilton.
