GENE'S BLOG: The Montoya Story

EDMONTON, AB - It's a label or a title Al Montoya might love more than any of the others used to describe him.
It's not being an NHL goalie which he does truly enjoy. It's not being a first-round pick by the NY Rangers in 2006, which of course he's very proud of accomplishing, but it's being the first at something or as a someone in the NHL. Check out his mask and it's easy to see what it is. On it is 'The Big Cubano'. Montoya is the first NHL player of Cuban descent and he can thank his 'Abuelo' - grandfather Manuel Silva - for the opportunity. "He came over right around the time of the Bay of Pigs," explained Montoya. "He was doing well back home. My grandfather was a lawyer and a property owner, a cattle owner but he left it all behind."

The Bay of Pigs was a failed military invasion of Cuba by the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in April of 1961. Hundreds were killed. The failed invasion helped to strengthen the position of Fidel Castro. It made him a national hero. The whole situation made Manuel Silva uncomfortable and wanting a better life for his family. He departed Cuba and set sail for Florida and specifically, Miami. "In some ways, it's a typical immigrant story when it comes to bringing your kids to a new country," said Montoya, "but they hopped on a cargo boat. My mom thought they were going on a vacation. She and her siblings were oblivious to what was happening."
Manuel Silva knew what he wanted and he felt like America was the place to get it.
"He ended up selling strawberries on the side of the road," is how the Oilers netminder explained his grandfather's first job in this new country. The family eventually moved to Chicago where Al's grandmother took a job as a bank teller.
Sacrifices. Immigrants all over the world have made them. Leaving behind the known for the unknown. Their mind made up in doing what might be better for them but truly will be better for their kids. In Manuel Silva's case, it worked.

"My mom (Irene) is a doctor," said Montoya. "She commutes over an hour to the city each day. She has shown what leadership truly is while my aunt is a dentist and my uncle an architect."
You can only imagine the pride Silva had in seeing his children become such success stories. It was passed onto Al who has carved out a solid and lengthy stay in the National Hockey League. Unfortunately, his 'Abuelo' wasn't around to see Montoya make it to the NHL but the netminder hasn't forgotten the man who passed away while Montoya was playing college hockey at Michigan.
"I just watched him," said Montoya with a smile. "I grew up in a single parent home and he (along with my older brother) was my role model. I remember when I was a kid we hopped on a bus and he took me to my first Cubs game. I'll never forget that."
Beautiful memories of a boy and his grandfather.
"He was like a renaissance man." said the 33-year-old. "My grandfather would come over sit and talk for awhile and next thing you know he'd be playing the piano. He also loved to paint. We'd have his paintings decorating our house."
When Edmonton arrives in Florida there's a chance Montoya will get the start against the Panthers. It's where he also got his start in life thanks to the cargo boat arrival of Manuel Silva and tells you a little about the Montoya story.