Panthers Mailbag: Montour and Mahura
Brandon Montour and Josh Mahura open up the "Panthers Mailbag" to answer a wide variety of fun and interesting questions from fans.
Mailbag: Montour & Mahura
With multiple ways to enjoy, fans can either check out the above video to see the defensive duo chuckle their way through a select few questions or continue below to read all of their responses.
If you'd like to submit questions for a future installment, stay tuned to @FlaPanthers on Twitter throughout the season to see which two players will be tasked with manning the mailbag next.
As always, players read the questions to each other.
Mahura (Question 1): Who would win in a race between you and me?
Montour: Uhhh.
Mahura:You can go on the ice and off the ice.
Montour:I think you got me.
Mahura:Maybe off the ice. I don't think on the ice.
Mahura (Question 2): What do you eat for breakfast most days?
Montour: I try to change it up. I do some eggs one day, and then maybe some oatmeal the next day. I always like to have some sort of breakfast shake.
Mahura:You like to take care of the body.
Mahura (Question 3): Who is your favorite team to play against?
Montour:I've gotta say Tampa. I always get jacked up for those games.
Mahura (Question 4): What are your thoughts on the dab?
Montour:Dap?
Mahura:Dab.
Montour: What's the dab?
Mahura: It's like … [does a dab].
Montour: [Laughs]. Cool move. I'll try to do it after I score a goal. It'd be even cooler.
Mahura (Question 5): As the locker room DJ, how much time do you put into your playlists and do you have any tips for creating the perfect playlist?
Montour:My only tip would be that know when you're working with a bunch of different guys that they like different genres. You've got Europeans that like European music. You've got guys that like rap, guys that like country. You've got to get a little mix. I think closer to the end of the season now, it's kind of on shuffle. It's pretty easy now, but I try to add songs here and there.
Mahura:You do a good job on the playlists. I'll give you that.
Mahura (Question 6): After playing with Josh in Anaheim back in the day, how does it feel playing with him again in Florida? What do you remember about him back then?
Montour:You were pretty quiet actually. I think you were just trying to play it cool like you've been there [laughs]. It was good. It wasn't too long. I think the time that we had was good and it's nice to have you here now.
Mahura: I think I was a little nervous [laughs].
Mahura (Question 7): Who's the toughest player in the NHL to defend that's not Connor McDavid?
Montour: That one's tough. There's a lot of them. Maybe a guy like Patrick Kane or Artemi Panarin or David Pastrnak. Those are three guys that kind of slow the game down, but are super skilled and super fast at what they do. I think that's three good ones.
Mahura (Question 8): What's your favorite place to get coffee in Fort Lauderdale and what's your go-to order?
Montour:Anne's Florist on Las Olas. That's a good spot. We like to go there, but probably Starbucks. It's just easy.
Mahura: What's your go-to order?
Montour: Probably just a latte. I change it up. Either medium pike or a latte. Wait, a grande pike.
Mahura (Question 9): If you were on four-man mission to the Moon, which three of your teammates would you pick to join you and why?
Montour:Cuzzy's in there, for sure. I think he'd bring the brains, for sure [laughs]. Maybe Radko? You'd like to bring Radko for some toughness.
Mahura:I agree.
Montour:Umm. Maybe Carter? I feel like he'd be good up on the Moon.
Mahura:You think so?
Montour: He's been there before [laughs]. I think he's been to space.
Mahura:I think that's a good team. I think you guys would do well up there.
Mahura (Question 10): How does it feel to be a role model for indigenous youths and how much pride to you take in your heritage?
Montour:There's a number of guys that have that background. I just think it's good any time you can give back to your community. As a kid, I'd look up to players in the NHL. With where I'm at now, I want to help those kids try and do what I do. It's important.
Mahura (Question 11): It seems like Josh is always happy and smiling on the ice. Do you know anything that makes him angry?
Montour:Maybe when the strength coaches add a couple more beet juice drinks [laughs]. Maybe when someone messes with your gloves and gear.
Mahura: Yeah, I don't love that.
Montour:There's not much I can think of, to be honest.
Mahura (Question 12): Do you have a guilty pleasure when it comes to movies or TV?
Montour: I like those real estate shows.
Mahura: Like "Million Dollar Listing" and things like that?
Montour: Yeah, they're kind of cheesy. My wife and I like watching those.
Montour (Question 1): Do you have any interesting pre-game rituals?
Mahura:No interesting pre-game rituals, but I kind of do the same thing every game timing-wise.
Montour:I think you got one. You like beet juice [laughs]. You drink a lot of beet juice.
Mahura:I do like beet juice ... but not that much.
Montour (Question 2): Do you prefer the beaches in Florida or California?
Mahura:Hmm. That's tough. I think Florida. I like the beaches and the water out there. It's nice. The sand's nice. I haven't been out too much, but I like the area over here more.
Montour: I tend to agree, but I like how California has nice boardwalks.
Mahura:Yeah, it'd be nice to have more of those.
Montour (Question 3): Who is your favorite person on the show "Jersey Shore" and why? Also, what would be your nickname if you were on the show?
Mahura:My nickname? [Laughs]
Montour:You watch that show?
Mahura:I used to a long time ago. My favorite person on the show is The Situation, maybe. I don't know what my nickname would be. What would it be?
Montour:The Hur-Dog? [Laughs]
Mahura: The Hur-Dog? Yeah, sure.
Montour (Question 4): How do you like to spend your days off in Florida?
Mahura:I like to walk the dogs. I've got two golden retrievers. I like to walk them around, try to go for lunch downtown and just enjoy the weather.
Montour:That's kind of a far drive for you, no?
Mahura: Yeah, but I've got nothing else to do.
Montour (Question 5): What's your favorite thing about playing with Radko Gudas?
Mahura:Tough to name just one. They call him The Butcher for a reason. I think just being able to have a D partner that's named The Butcher is one of my favorite things. Knowing that he's got your back and he's kind of setting the tone for the whole team is good. It kind of brings out the intensity in me a lot of the time. He's one of those guys that's just a lot of fun.
Montour:You get to run around a bit more.
Mahura:I know. Yeah, he gives me a little bit more confidence than I probably need. That's OK.
Montour (Question 6): If you and Brandon go out to dinner on the road who's paying for the Uber?
Mahura: Who's paying for the Uber? Uhhh. I'll probably get the Uber, you might get dinner.
Montour:That works out, eh? [Laughs]
Mahura:Yeah, I'll get the Uber.
Montour (Question 7): Do you have a best friend on the team? If so, who is it?
Mahura: I don't know. You? You're my best friend on the team I'd say. We have a great group of guys in the room. We all get along pretty good. It's tough to just pick one guy. We all hang out together.
Montour: I think everyone's best friend should be Chaz (Nick Cousins).
Mahura:Yeah, maybe Cuzzy. He's everyone's best friend.
Montour (Question 8): How are excited are you to come back ot the Panthers next season and did you make any cool purchases after signing your new deal?
Mahura:It feels like you wrote these.
Montour: [Laughs]
Mahura:I'm obviousy pretty excited. I had a lot of fun coming here. It's a fun locker room to be in and a great oganizaiton to be a part of. No cool purchases. I'm just doing the same thing every day. Just taking care of the dogs. That's about it.
Montour (Question 9): What's the best advice you've received in the NHL?
Mahura: That's a good one. I think the best advice I've received is to not take anything for granted. It's a privilege to be here. I think sometimes you forget how hard you worked to get here and the people that sacrificed things for you to get here. You never know when it's going to be your last day, so enjoy every day, work your hardest and have fun.
Montour:You do that every day.
Mahura:Yeah, I like to have fun.
Montour (Question 10): Have you collected anything throughout your career? Do you have anything autographed by Brandon?
Mahura: I've got some cool sticks. I don't have anything from Brandon yet, but I'm going to need something after this season.
Montour:Yeah? [Laughs]
Mahura:Historic season by 62, eh?
Montour (Question 11): Did you ever have a "welcome to the NHL" moment? If you did, what was it?
Mahura: I don't know.
Montour:Your first D partner probably, no?
Mahura: Yeah, I was a little starstruck playing with you.
Montour: Starstruck! [Laughs]
Mahura: Maybe the first road trip. Getting on the plane, going to New York and playing at Madison Square Garden. The first road trip was pretty eye-opening.
Montour (Question 12): If every player on the team entered an arm-wrestling contest who would win?
Mahura:That's tough.
Montour:Right away you want to go with Radko.
Mahura: Yeah, I was going to say that you gotta go with The Butch. He's my D partner and I've got to give him the respect.
Montour:Who'd face him?
Mahura: You maybe?
Montour: [Laughs]. Maybe Lomby?
Mahura: I'd probably say Butchy or Lomby.
