By Sam Laskaris Writer Six Nations member Brandon Montour is hoping this is the year he will win the ultimate prize in professional hockey. Montour and his Florida Panthers teammates came up one step shy of winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. The Panthers were downed by the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 in the National Hockey League’s best-of-seven championship series last spring. The Golden Knights’ roster included defenceman Zach Whitecloud, a member of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in Manitoba. Both the Panthers and Golden Knights once again qualified to participate in the 2024 NHL playoffs, which began this past Saturday. A total of 16 clubs advanced to the post-season. Besides Montour and Whitecloud, two other Indigenous players are also competing in the playoffs this spring. They are Metis forward Connor…