All Ready for Al Montoya?

With the sudden emergence of Ilya Bryzgalov’s early breakout season, the Phoenix Coyotes do not worry about a backup goaltender. Or do they?

This story sounds a little familiar to Al Montoya. After a strong college career at the University of Michigan, Montoya went on to play for Team USA in the 2004 World Junior Championships. Team USA went on to win the gold medal and scouts couldn’t get enough of the Wolverine goaltender.

One of those scouts was from the New York Rangers. The Rangers were just in the midst of losing Mike Richter to retirement and Kevin Weekes was not the man to replace perhaps the greatest Rangers goaltender of all-time. In the 2004 NHL Draft the New York Rangers selected Al Montoya with the 6th overall pick.

Many thought that Montoya would be the man to take over in net at Madison Square Garden.

However, this guy from Sweden named Henrik Lundqvist started gaining recognition. After the Rangers lost Weekes due to injury, Lundqvist was given the chance to take his spot and the Rangers have not looked back since.

Instead, Montoya became lost in the shuffle as the once promising goaltender from Illinois needed a ticket out of New York, and fast. Montoya went onto play for the Hartford Wolfpack from 2005 to 2008 while Lundqvist went on to become one of the top goaltenders in the NHL.

On Feb. 26, 2008, Montoya and Marcel Hossa were traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for Fredrik Sjostrom, David LeNeveu and Josh Gratton. Montoya was assigned to San Antonio to play for the San Antonio Rampage, an AHL affliate of the Coyotes.

During the 2008-2009 season, Montoya made five appearances for the Coyotes posting a record of 3-1 including a shutout over the Colorado Avalanche.

There is no question that Bryzgalov deserves the starting position for the Coyotes. With Bryzgalov in the lineup the Coyotes are playoff contenders and when Bryzgalov is not in the lineup they are not. Coyotes backup Jason LaBarbera is not the right man for the position. LaBarbera has given up eight goals in four appearances this season while posting a 1-2 record.

What would happen if Montoya took over for LaBarbera? Perhaps this is the time that the Coyotes start experimenting. Montoya, in my opinion, has a great future in the NHL. He will not be a career backup like LaBarbera. Could you imagine the Coyotes having two quality goaltenders?

I do not believe that Montoya should have to stick around in San Antonio when he could be starting for several NHL franchises. Come on Coyotes, show me that I’m right!