Brandon Montour reveals why he stepped away and breaks down in tears.

It doesn't matter what team you cheer for, today each and every one of our hearts are with Seattle Kraken veteran defenseman Brandon Montour.

On Saturday, Montour spoke to reporters for the first time since taking a leave of absence from the team earlier this month. In what is a truly heartbreaking interview, Montour would go on to reveal that he had stepped away from the team after losing his older brother to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more commonly known as simply ALS.

Montour wasn't even so much as able to begin speaking about the loss without breaking down into tears, something that everyone who has lost a loved one at some point in their lives can relate to. Despite being overwhelmed by emotions in the moment, Montour made sure to speak highly of the man who clearly had such a tremendous impact on his life.

"Obviously a rough week," said Montour who was immediately overcome with emotion.

Montour didn't shy away from expressing how much his brother meant to him, speaking through tears the entire time.

"My older brother has been dealing with ALS for 3 or 4 years now and it was a rough week, he admitted. "I'm very proud, very happy, to be his brother. Somebody I've looked up to since day 1."

He also added that he wasn't the only member of the Montour family dealing with this tragedy, sharing that his brother leaves behind two young children.

"A great son, brother, best friend, father, he's got two baby girls," revealed Montour.

Montour also wanted the world to know that his brother never gave up the fight and kept himself in good spirits throughout that battle, right up until his final moments.

"He battled hard," said Montour. "He was at home battling right till the end, Monday when it happened, he was smiling. I'm proud of him."

It was one of the most emotional interviews you're going to see from a professional athlete, one in which Montour didn't shy away at all from being vulnerable in front of the cameras. You can see it for yourself in the video just below:

My most sincere condolences go out to Brandon and the rest of the Montour family.