Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of Getty Images
- Name: Al Montoya
- Position: G
- Catches: Left
- Height: 6-2
- Weight: 201 lbs
- Birthdate: 1985-02-13
- Eligible for Draft: 2003
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Glenview, Illinois
- Acquired: 6th overall, 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Rangers
- Playing In: Pro
Al Montoya
Prospect Grade: 8.5 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: Leslie Treff
History
2002-2003- Montoya established himself as one of the top goaltenders in college hockey as a freshman. He was also the youngest player in Division I hockey. Montoya played in 43 games, setting a Michigan record with 30 wins, the most by a freshman goaltender. Montoya was named to Inside College Hockey Online All-Rookie Team, the CCHA Super Six Tournament Team and Most Outstanding Player at the NCAA Midwest Regional.
2003-2004- Montoya again started the majority of games for the Wolverines, recording a 26-12-2 record in 40 games. He was selected to the 2003-04 Jofa/AHCA All-America West second team, earned All-CCHA second team, and as a finalist for the CCHA Goaltender of the Year Award. Montoya also earned a gold medal as the started for the US National Team at the 2004 World Junior Championship in Finland, and was named the top goaltender of the tournament.
2004-05-Montoya's junior season at Michigan was his final year playing collegiate hockey. In 40 games, Montoya had a record of 30-7-3 and save percentage of .895. He appeared in goal in 6 playoff games, compiling a record of 5-1, with a GAA of 1.67, a Save % of .912, and 1 shutout.
2005-06-In his first professional season, Montoya appeared in 40 games for the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack. He achieved a 2.61 GAA and a save percentage of .907. Montoya also played 2 games for the ECHL Charlotte Checkers during a rehabilitation stint. He was between the pipes in five AHL postseason games, posting a record of 2-1 and recordng a 1.87 goals against average. Montoya suffered his third injury of the year in Game 5 of the second round of the AHL playoffs, which sidelined him for the rest of the series and required shoulder surgery.
2006-07-Montoya came back from shoulder surgery to have a very good AHL season in 2006-07. With a personal season record 6 shutouts, the Rangers' top prospect improved both his regular season GAA and save percentage. Although not completely injury-free throughout the entire 2006-07 year, Montoya survived without major problems, playing in 48 regular season and in 7 playoff contests.
Talent Analysis
Montoya is a flashy goaltender, who is solid on his skates and has good lateral movement in the crease. He plays a hybrid butterfly style, is very sound in his positioning and reads angles well. A strong puck handler who likes to start the play for his defensemenand has excellent reflexes, Montoya is agile enough to make difficult, acrobatic saves look routine. If he has a weakness positionally, it is that he can be too aggressive playing the puck in the corner or moving up to challenge a shooter, which can, at times, put him out of position. He does have a great deal of confidence, which allows him to bounce back after allowing a bad goal. Montoya looked good early in the 2007-08 season, but has been out since late October with a back injury.
Future
Montoya has the skills and confidence to become a No. 1 goaltender in the NHL. If he can stay injury-free and increase his consistency, Montoya should be ready for NHL hockey within one season.
Stats
www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3
Profile Last Updated: March, 18th 2008
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