Al Montoya
Encyclopedia
Álvaro "Al" Montoya is an American
professional ice hockey
goaltender
currently playing for the New York Islanders
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He was drafted by the New York Rangers
in the first round (6th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
after a three-year career with the University of Michigan
. Montoya is the first Cuban American
to play in the NHL.
and amateur hockey for the Texas Tornado
of the North American Hockey League
. He spent the 2000-01 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program
. Montoya began attending the University of Michigan
and playing for the Wolverines
in 2002–03. He enjoyed success at Michigan, especially during his final season in 2004–05, where he posted a record of 30-7-3. Montoya twice represented the United States
at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, backstopping the team to its first gold medal at the 2004
tournament in Finland
; he was named to the tournament All-Star team. The 2005
tournament, hosted by the United States, was a disappointing one for Montoya and Team USA as they failed to medal, losing to the Czech Republic
in the bronze medal game.
After being signed by the New York Rangers to a three-year entry-level contract in the summer of 2005, Montoya made his professional debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack
of the American Hockey League
(AHL), the team with which he spent the majority of the next three seasons. Overall, he posted a 66-34-4 record with the Wolf Pack, along with a 5-5 playoff record.
With the emergence of Henrik Lundqvist
as an All-Star caliber goaltender, Montoya became expendable to the Rangers. On February 26, 2008, Montoya was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes
, along with Marcel Hossa
, in exchange for Fredrik Sjöström
, David LeNeveu
, and Josh Gratton
.
After re-signing with the Coyotes on July 2, 2008, Montoya started the 2008–09
season with the San Antonio Rampage
, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate. Late that season Montoya made his NHL debut with the Coyotes, recording a shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche
on April 1, 2009. He went on to appear in 5 games for the Coyotes in 2008-09, posting a 3-1 record. That spring Montoya was named to the American roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship
in Switzerland
; he started one game at the tournament, a 6-2 win over France.
On February 9, 2011, Montoya was traded to the New York Islanders
for a sixth round draft pick in 2011
. With Islanders' goaltenders Rick DiPietro
and Kevin Poulin
sidelined with injuries, Montoya was provided with an opportunity to play regularly in the NHL for the first time. He went on to play 21 games for the Islanders, posting a 9-5-5 record with a .921 save percentage
and one shutout. On March 29 the Islanders signed Montoya to a one-year contract extension.
Montoya again represented the United States at the 2011 World Championship. He appeared in 4 games and posted a 2-1 record as the Americans finished a disappointing 8th overall.
People of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
currently playing for the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He was drafted by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in the first round (6th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
2004 NHL Entry Draft
The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
after a three-year career with the University of Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
. Montoya is the first Cuban American
Cuban American
A Cuban American is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban parents or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US...
to play in the NHL.
Playing career
Montoya played youth hockey for the Chicago Young Americans and Loyola AcademyLoyola Academy
Loyola Academy is a private, co-educational college preparatory high school, located in Wilmette, Illinois, a northern suburb of Chicago. Located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, it is one of 47 Jesuit high schools in the United States and is a member of the Jesuit Secondary Education...
and amateur hockey for the Texas Tornado
Texas Tornado
The Texas Tornado are a Junior A hockey team located in Frisco, Texas, USA. The team joined the North American Hockey League's Central division in 1999 while located in North Richland Hills, Texas, and have enjoyed unprecedented success since their expansion year...
of the North American Hockey League
North American Hockey League
The North American Hockey League is one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States and is enterting its 36th season in 2011-12. It is currently the only Junior A Tier II league, sanctioned by USA Hockey. The NAHL currently acts as an alternative to the United States Hockey League...
. He spent the 2000-01 season with the U.S. National Team Development Program
USA Hockey National Team Development Program
The National Team Development Program was started in 1996 by USA Hockey as a way to identify elite ice hockey players in the country under the age of 18, and centralize their training. There are two teams in the program, an Under-17 squad and an Under-18 squad. The teams are both based in Ann...
. Montoya began attending the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and playing for the Wolverines
Michigan Wolverines
The Michigan Wolverines comprise 27 varsity sports teams at the University of Michigan. These teams compete in the NCAA's Division I and in the Big Ten Conference in all sports except men's ice hockey which competes in the NCAA D1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association, and women's water polo, which...
in 2002–03. He enjoyed success at Michigan, especially during his final season in 2004–05, where he posted a record of 30-7-3. Montoya twice represented the United States
United States men's national junior ice hockey team
The United States men's national junior ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in the United States. The team represents the United States at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World U20 Championship....
at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, backstopping the team to its first gold medal at the 2004
2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 26, 2003 and January 5, 2004 in Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, Finland...
tournament in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
; he was named to the tournament All-Star team. The 2005
2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 25, 2004, and January 4, 2005, at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, United States...
tournament, hosted by the United States, was a disappointing one for Montoya and Team USA as they failed to medal, losing to the Czech Republic
Czech Republic men's national junior ice hockey team
The Czech men's national under 20 ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in Czech Republic. The team represents Czech Republic at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World U20 Championship.-2011 WJC roster:...
in the bronze medal game.
After being signed by the New York Rangers to a three-year entry-level contract in the summer of 2005, Montoya made his professional debut with the Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford Wolf Pack
The Connecticut Whale is a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They play in the American Hockey League . They play their home games at the XL Center....
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), the team with which he spent the majority of the next three seasons. Overall, he posted a 66-34-4 record with the Wolf Pack, along with a 5-5 playoff record.
With the emergence of Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
as an All-Star caliber goaltender, Montoya became expendable to the Rangers. On February 26, 2008, Montoya was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
, along with Marcel Hossa
Marcel Hossa
Marcel Hossa is a Slovak professional ice hockey player currently playing for Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League . His older brother Marián plays for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, in exchange for Fredrik Sjöström
Fredrik Sjöström
Fredrik Sjöström is a Swedish professional ice hockey winger playing with Frölunda HC of the Elitserien. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames and Toronto Maple Leafs.-Playing career:Sjöström is a big but speedy forward who...
, David LeNeveu
David LeNeveu
David LeNeveu is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He currently plays for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, and Josh Gratton
Josh Gratton
Josh Gratton is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who plays for Vityaz Chekhov of the Kontinental Hockey League...
.
After re-signing with the Coyotes on July 2, 2008, Montoya started the 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
season with the San Antonio Rampage
San Antonio Rampage
The San Antonio Rampage are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. They are the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Their home arena is the AT&T Center.-History:...
, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate. Late that season Montoya made his NHL debut with the Coyotes, recording a shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
on April 1, 2009. He went on to appear in 5 games for the Coyotes in 2008-09, posting a 3-1 record. That spring Montoya was named to the American roster for the 2009 IIHF World Championship
2009 IIHF World Championship
The 2009 IIHF World Championship took place in Switzerland from 24 April to 10 May. The games were played in the PostFinance Arena in Bern and Schluefweg in Kloten....
in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
; he started one game at the tournament, a 6-2 win over France.
On February 9, 2011, Montoya was traded to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
for a sixth round draft pick in 2011
2011 NHL Entry Draft
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted...
. With Islanders' goaltenders Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro
Rick DiPietro, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He was the first overall selection by the Islanders in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft....
and Kevin Poulin
Kevin Poulin
Kevin Poulin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is now playing with the New York Islanders in the National Hockey League...
sidelined with injuries, Montoya was provided with an opportunity to play regularly in the NHL for the first time. He went on to play 21 games for the Islanders, posting a 9-5-5 record with a .921 save percentage
Save percentage
Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops...
and one shutout. On March 29 the Islanders signed Montoya to a one-year contract extension.
Montoya again represented the United States at the 2011 World Championship. He appeared in 4 games and posted a 2-1 record as the Americans finished a disappointing 8th overall.
Awards and achievements
- 2002–03 CCHACentral Collegiate Hockey AssociationThe Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
All-Rookie Team - 2002–03 CCHA All-Tournament Team
- 2003–04 CCHA Second All-Star Team
- 2003–04 NCAA West Second All-American Team
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | W | L | T/OT | MIN | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
SV% Save percentage Save percentage is an ice hockey and lacrosse statistic that represents the percentage of shots on goal a goaltender stops... |
GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 2000–01 | Texas Tornado Texas Tornado The Texas Tornado are a Junior A hockey team located in Frisco, Texas, USA. The team joined the North American Hockey League's Central division in 1999 while located in North Richland Hills, Texas, and have enjoyed unprecedented success since their expansion year... |
NAHL | 15 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 780 | 38 | 0 | 2.92 | — | 1 | 1 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | — | ||
| 2001–02 | USNTDP USA Hockey USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has... |
NAHL | 24 | 6 | 11 | 4 | 1344 | 79 | 0 | 3.53 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | University of Michigan Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... |
CCHA Central Collegiate Hockey Association The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship... |
43 | 30 | 10 | 3 | 2547 | 99 | 4 | 2.33 | .911 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | University of Michigan | CCHA | 40 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 2340 | 87 | 6 | 2.23 | .917 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | University of Michigan | CCHA | 40 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 2359 | 99 | 3 | 2.52 | .895 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Charlotte Checkers | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 123 | 8 | 0 | 3.92 | .875 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Hartford Wolf Pack Hartford Wolf Pack The Connecticut Whale is a professional ice hockey team based in Hartford, Connecticut. They play in the American Hockey League . They play their home games at the XL Center.... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
40 | 23 | 9 | 1 | 2094 | 91 | 2 | 2.61 | .907 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 257 | 8 | 1 | 1.87 | .932 | ||
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Hartford Wolf Pack | AHL | 48 | 27 | 17 | 0 | 2556 | 98 | 6 | 2.30 | .914 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 391 | 20 | 1 | 3.07 | .873 | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 AHL season The 2007–08 AHL season is the 72nd season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Chicago Wolves won their second Calder Cup, defeating the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the Calder Cup Final.-Team changes:... |
Hartford Wolf Pack | AHL | 31 | 16 | 8 | 3 | 1704 | 72 | 0 | 2.54 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | San Antonio Rampage San Antonio Rampage The San Antonio Rampage are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League based in San Antonio, Texas. They are the top affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the NHL. Their home arena is the AT&T Center.-History:... |
AHL | 14 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 789 | 34 | 1 | 2.59 | .912 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 59 | 4 | 0 | 4.04 | .857 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 29 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 1562 | 84 | 0 | 3.23 | .885 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 259 | 9 | 1 | 2.08 | .925 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 14 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 771 | 34 | 0 | 2.65 | .904 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | San Antonio Rampage | AHL | 21 | 11 | 8 | 0 | 1130 | 60 | 0 | 3.19 | .891 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 21 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 1154 | 46 | 1 | 2.39 | .921 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 26 | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1413 | 55 | 2 | 2.34 | .922 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| AHL totals | 197 | 96 | 72 | 7 | 10606 | 473 | 9 | 2.68 | .904 | 13 | 5 | 6 | 707 | 32 | 2 | 2.72 | .894 | ||||
| CCHA totals | 123 | 86 | 29 | 6 | 7246 | 285 | 13 | 2.36 | .908 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 26, 2003 and January 5, 2004 in Helsinki and Hämeenlinna, Finland... |
United States United States men's national junior ice hockey team The United States men's national junior ice hockey team is the national under-20 ice hockey team in the United States. The team represents the United States at the International Ice Hockey Federation's IIHF World U20 Championship.... |
WJC | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 360 | 8 | 2 | 1.33 | .944 | |
| 2005 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was held between December 25, 2004, and January 4, 2005, at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and at the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, United States... |
United States | WJC | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 393 | 22 | 0 | 3.36 | .904 | |
| 2009 2009 IIHF World Championship The 2009 IIHF World Championship took place in Switzerland from 24 April to 10 May. The games were played in the PostFinance Arena in Bern and Schluefweg in Kloten.... |
United States | WC | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 2.00 | .875 | |
| 2011 | United States | WC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 9 | 0 | 2.60 | .871 |