Montoya, who was the New York Rangers’ first round pick, sixth overall, in the 2004 draft is also the second winningest goaltender in Hartford Wolf Pack history. He trails only Jason LaBarbera in sheer wins.
Monty has been very strong between the pipes for the AHL NHL team on Long Island. He joins ex-Wolf Pack forward P.A. Parenteau as ex-Wolf Pack who have found a home in the NHL at the Nassau Coliseum.
We wouldn’t be even the least bit surprised if that’s where defenseman Wade Redden winds up next season as well.
Montoya has posted a very solid 8-4-4 record since joining the Fish Sticks on February 9 in a trade with the Phoenix Coyotes. The 26 year-old netminder was going nowhere with the Coyotes and Islanders’ GM Garth Snow was able to take him off the Coyotes for just a sixth round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Montoya, a Chicago native, has given the Islanders some stability in net with Rick “Mr. Glass” DiPietro almost constantly on the DL. Montoya has a 2.35 goals against average and a .923 save percentage in 17 games this season.
