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Al Montoya

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Position
  
Goaltender

Role
  
Ice hockey player

Education
  
University of Michigan

Name
  
Al Montoya

Salary
  
1 million USD (2015)

National team
  
United States

Height
  
1.88 m

Catches
  
Left

Nationality
  
American


Al Montoya New York Islanders Road to the Coliseum Al Montoya

Born
  
February 13, 1985 (age 39) Chicago, IL, USA (
1985-02-13
)

Weight
  
195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)

NHL team Former teams
  
Florida Panthers Phoenix Coyotes New York Islanders Winnipeg Jets

NHL Draft
  
6th overall, 2004 New York Rangers

Current team
  
Florida Panthers (#35 / Goaltender)

Similar People
  
Roberto Luongo, Willie Mitchell, Jonathan Huberdeau, Jussi Jokinen, Dan Ellis

Al montoya


Álvaro "Al" Montoya (born February 13, 1985) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round, sixth overall, in 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. Montoya was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Glenview, Illinois.

Contents

Al Montoya Al Montoya Photos Calgary Flames v Florida Panthers Zimbio

Jets' Blake Wheeler on playing 'super competitive' former teammate Al Montoya


Playing career

Al Montoya Man of the Day 1014 Al Montoya Adventures in Pucking

Montoya played youth hockey for the Chicago Young Americans and Loyola Academy and amateur hockey for the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). He spent the 2000–01 season with the US 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.

Al Montoya Al Montoya Pictures Minnesota Wild v New York Islanders

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.

Al Montoya 1cdnnhlecomphotosmugs8471219jpg

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.

Al Montoya Al Montoya and Nathan Lawson Photos Boston Bruins v New

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. Later 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 five 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.

Al Montoya New York Islanders Montoya gets chance with Islanders

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 re-signed Montoya to a one-year contract extension. Montoya recorded a 9–11–5 record during the 2011–12 season.

Al Montoya New York Islanders Road to the Coliseum Al Montoya

Montoya again represented the United States at the 2011 World Championship. He appeared in four games and posted a 2–1 record as the Americans finished a disappointing eighth overall.

On July 4, 2012, Montoya was signed by the Winnipeg Jets to back-up starter Ondřej Pavelec on a one-year deal for the 2012–13 season, worth $601,000 after being released by the New York Islanders.

On July 1, 2014, Montoya was signed as a free agent by the Florida Panthers to a two-year contract with an annual salary of $1.05 million.

On July 1, 2016, Montoya was signed as a free agent by the Montreal Canadiens to a one-year contract with an annual salary of $950K. He is currently second goalie after first choice Carey Price. On January 2, 2017, Montoya extended his contract for two more years, until 2019.

References

Al Montoya Wikipedia