Tuesday July 6, 2004 sports.michigandaily.com sports@michigandaily.com SPORTS 140 Empty net? Montoya early exit could be imminent By Sharad Mattu Daily Sports Editor Michigan goaltender Al Montoya plans to decide this week whether to remain with the Wolverines or leave now with two years of eligibility remaining to sign with the New York Rangers, who selected him sixth overall in the recent NHL Draft and want him to play this coming season with their top farm club. "I'll have my decision in five or six days," Montoya told The Michigan Daily on Satur- day. "I'm right in the middle right now." Losing Montoya would be a huge blow to the Wolverines, who will have 11 seniors and expect to contend for the National Champi- onship this coming season. In his first two seasons Montoya, Michigan's MVP last year, has compiled a 56-22-5 record, 2.28 goals- against average and .914 save percentage. Montoya's backups, junior Noah Ruden and sophomore Mike Mayhew, have logged just 6 percent of the team's goaltending min- utes the past two seasons. If Montoya were to leave, the Wolverines would likely scramble to bring in another goaltender before the fall term begins in September. Michigan has grown accustomed to seeing its players leave early for the NHL. In the last five years, seven players have left with eligi- bility remaining. But none have been goaltenders, which is why losing Montoya would hurt more than any previous loss. Michigan has seen talents such as forward Mike Comrie and defense- Vanderkaay now has eyes. on Olympics By SethGdon Daily Sports Editor Peter Vanderkaay never dreamed he would have a chance to go to the Olympics. Before coming to Michigan. "I definitely never thought that I would be in this position, growing up,"Vanderkaay said. "Now that I came to Michigan and things started to pan out differently, it's definitely a goal now" What has panned out differently for the sophomore swimmer has been three individual NCAA titles this year in the 200, 400, and 1,500-meter freestyle. Vanderkaay will now compete in all three events at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Long Beach, California starting on Wednesday. "I've definitely had a lot of success since I've been (at Michigan)," Vanderkaay said. "That's probably made the dif- ference in believing in myself that I could possibly make the (Olympic) team." Michigan swimming coach Jon Urbanchek brought Van- derkaay in from nearby Rochester Adams High School as a dis- tance swimmer - one of the strengths of the Michigan program under Urbanchek - but Vanderkaay has branched out into the shorter 200 and 400-meter freestyle events. "Traditionally, I came into Michigan swimming distance," Vanderkaay said. "I like the 1,500 a lot, but I'm starting to like the 200 and 400 a lot better also. I don't really have a favorite, probably whatever one I'm swimming best." Vanderkaay's attitude may be advantageous as the competition at the trials will be fierce, especially in the 1,500-meter freestyle. "The competition in the 1,500 is very tough," Vanderkaay said. I think I have gotten a little bit better at the 200 and 400. h the 200 they are going to take the top six (competitors) for relays, so that might be my best chance" An NCAA title doesn't guarantee anything for Vanderkaay at the Olympic Trials, where he will face stiff competition from professionals and former Olympians. It is possible that Van- derkaay will have to face U.S. Olympic poster boy and swim- ming phenom Michael Phelps in the 200 and 400-meter freestyle races. Phelps is the hottest name in swimming and is aiming to tie or break Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals in one Olympics. Phelps has turned professional and holds th highest endorsement deal in swimming history with Speedo. He has yet to announce which races he will compete in, so it is unknown if Vanderkaay will race against him. Vanderkaay isn't worried about the competition as much as he is focused on himself. Now that he has the chance to make the See VANDERKAAY, Page 15 The New York Rangers selected Montoya sixth overall and want him to join their system this year. man Mike Komisarek leave early, but it had the position has been a key to its success. capable backups fill in and continued its But those three hadn't accomplished as streak of consecutive NCAA tournament much as quickly as Montoya has. Though appearances, which is now at14. Montoya finished high school a year early and Before Montoya, the Wolverines had three came to Michigan at just 17, he enjoyed imme- consecutive four-year starting goaltenders in diate success. This past January, Montoya led Steve Shields, Marty Turco and Josh Black- the United States to the gold medal in the burn, and the stability the program has had at See MONTOYA, Page 15 0 "Don't let your y Autumn Woods Condom1'nlums PO GH c d 81101 Autumn Woods rah C41 od 4r4HI H A I R \ . @ X et ahead of ecr lizin in on es le Cooke Of k .st.4x:: y o u ' skaYG k" r.k : / r . .......... ktx.. r .. y4:<:.. .<, v 4 ; :.4 Jv.. < '2 A, Va- " i < i , ~' , w: ,r:. ;y : 1/.< .. <, ' >,. ry., '?;<; °o"., y.a y :o> '%ir C o !( ';3 ti?>;o 'a.4$ris% L q7 r _... . .. r F':'h °4u yn.;Fy $4.00 OFF $5.00 OFFCT Your Lunch Entrees Your Dinner Entrees Between l lam -3 pm ;, Between 3pm -9 pm $20 Min mu Purcha e pt vad with tr offers /$250Min ur hase-Not valid with r offers _King of Queens - Expires 8/31/Q 4 King of Queens -_Expires 8/31U04 _, Starting at $158,900 Call 734-482-9000 for more information - Model Hours: M,T, and F 10:00-6:00: Saturday and Sunday 12:00-5:00' 304 1/2 S. 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