Dr. Irene Silva raised Al and his three brothers as a single mother while working as a physician in the Chicago area. Silva, who fled Cuba as a child with her parents, retired last year after more than 40 years as an internal medicine physician.
“I couldn’t have a bigger support system [than her], even now, trying to support my kids,” Montoya said. “I compare myself to how my mom did it. Until the day I retired, still today, she’s my biggest fan.
“Being able to represent these teams, being able to put these jerseys on, being able to represent the country that gave us our freedom, I think about my grandparents who came here as refugees to give us this American dream. … That’s what I played for. That’s what I try to instill in my kids.”
Montoya has a vivid recollection of the 2004 NHL Draft, when the New York Rangers selected him with the No. 6 pick.
“I field a couple interviews, I turn around, and there’s my mother surrounded by 20 reporters, asking her about what it’s like being a Cuban immigrant and having a son come up in a sport where there’s not many people [like him],” Montoya said. “Witnessing her take that [opportunity] was one of the coolest moments that I got to be part of.
“When they play the national anthem, I’d stand on the blue line. After you win an international game, they raise the flag. The first thoughts that run through my mind are my grandparents who left everything behind for me, my brothers and my mother.
“That was my why.”
Since retiring as a player, Montoya has found new why’s as a husband, father, Dallas Stars Elite youth hockey coach, and Stars executive. He’s excited by the growth of women’s hockey, youth hockey, and overall participation numbers of players from diverse backgrounds.
Montoya likes to say, “The best hockey player hasn’t been born yet.” Thanks to the support of Stars owner Tom Gaglardi and president/chief executive officer Brad Alberts, there’s a chance that player will be born in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
“Believe it or not, there’s not many hockey players on the business side in the NHL,” Montoya said. “We’re scattered throughout the League. Being able to connect on that front [is important], and then the intentionality this team had to hire me, where our views aligned, hiring someone from a Spanish-speaking background, understanding the culture that represents a large percentage of the population of the United States of America.
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