Montoya Stickin’ with Wolverines
Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Posted by GSH-Editor

After being drafted 6th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL entry draft, goaltender Al Montoya has announced Saturday that he will be returning to the Wolverines to finish his school career with the University of Michigan.

Montoya was named the Most Outstanding Goaltender in the 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship, and most Canadians will remember him as the goalie for Team USA who took home their first ever gold medal at the event, thanks in large part to Montoya’s work between the pipes. His stock rose drastically after being named the MVG and he finished the season with a conference record of 18-7-2 with a second-best 5 shutouts and an overall record of 26-12-2 and an overall second-best of 6 shutouts.

Among all goaltenders in the NCAA, Montoya played the most minutes overall with 2340:27, registering a GAA of 2.23 which was 12th overall, and a winning percentage of .675 which landed him 10th place in that category.

Although he could probably step into the Rangers lineup right away, it’s definitely a good career move for Montoya to go back to Michigan to finish up. It’s nice to see that with players these days, and he’ll be a welcome face in the Wolverines locker room. Montoya will be attending next month’s U.S. National team tryout in Grand Forks, N.D. for the 2004 World Junior tournament, where he’ll no doubt be back between the pipes as the USA defends it’s title.

“His conversations with Steve Shields and Marty Turco were a big help in his decision. [Also] his mother is very education-minded and not simply driven by money,” said Red Berenson, Michigan’s Head Coach, adding that “[Montoya] recognizes he can develop at Michigan and kill two birds with one stone by completing his junior year and showing that its not just money that drives young players.”

Kerrzy