Al Montoya
Al Montoya
Álvaro "Al" Montoyais an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. 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...
ProfessionHockey Player
Date of Birth13 February 1985
except game inside itch playoff pro regular season team
I'm not approaching this any differently than a regular season game except that there's more inside me. There is that itch to play my first pro playoff game. Everything this team and I have done is going to come down to the playoffs, so there's a little more incentive.
came gold great home juniors medal performed winning
Winning the gold medal at the World Juniors was an unbelievable experience. We had great leadership, we performed well and came home with the gold. It was awesome.
best both control gave goal good himself knows maybe nerves player spot time today tomorrow veteran waited year
He's a good player who waited as long as he could and gave himself both options, but I still want that goal back. If you don't have butterflies, you shouldn't be in this spot because this is the best time of year when you want to show up. There's a way to control the nerves and not let them get the best of you, so maybe that's where a veteran knows how to do it. But today is over, and tomorrow is the most important day.
control exciting expect giving top
I expect to be the Rangers' top goalie one day, and it's exciting what they're doing now. They're giving us a chance, and we're in control of our own destiny.
playing
You can tell everyone's playing for a spot.
came city dream great guess happen hockey loved loving madison mike mine olympics square team usa watch wonderful
It's a wonderful feeling, ... I always wanted to put on this jersey. I guess it really started when I loved to watch the USA Hockey team play and being a goalie I really loved to watch Mike Richter. When the Olympics came around, it was Mike Richter time. Then I started loving the Rangers. The city has great fans. It's always been a dream of mine to play in Madison Square garden. Hopefully, it will happen one day.
great pull whenever white
Whenever you pull on the red, white and blue, it's a great feeling,
time
This is the right time to be in this organization,
adversity chance dealt definitely difference ending face fairly felt gave hopefully improved momentum team year
It has been an all right year in which I definitely improved and had to face a lot of adversity, which is part of being a pro and how you react. I feel I've dealt with them fairly well when I had the chance to go out there and felt good. I think I made a difference and gave the team a chance to win, and hopefully that story is not ending too soon. Now it's all about getting momentum early, especially in our own building.
admired inspired
I always admired him, was so inspired by him,
athletic bring
I like the one-on-ones. I think it's going to bring out the athletic goalies and I feel like I'm one of those guys.
best career finish hockey knew leave school step
I knew I could finish school anytime, and I will eventually, ... But in a hockey sense and for my career it was best to leave and step up to a new challenge.