Winnipeg, Canada

Former first-round selection Al Montoya will guard the goal for the Winnipeg Jets next season after he signed a one-year, $601,000 contract wth the team.

Montoya, picked sixth overall by the New York Rangers in 2004, played in 31 games for the New York Islanders last season, posting a 9-11-5 record and 3.11 goals-against average and .893 save percentage.

In 57 career games between the Islanders and Phoenix Coyotes, Montoya had a 21-17-10 career record, 2.76 goals against average and 0.906 save percentage.

"I'm excited to be a part of such a hockey community," Montoya said. "I'm just really excited about the opportunity, the way this team is being built and the chance to play in one of the coolest buildings.

"I'm a guy that looks forward to winning and wants to win and help contribute to the team as much as possible and I look forward to doing the same in Winnipeg," he added.

Montoya will join the Jets as Ondrej Pavelec's back-up but he doesn't mind the secondary role.

"I'm here as a backup to work as hard as I can when I am called upon to go in the net and contribute and help this team move forward- into the playoffs," said Montoya.

"Ultimately we made the choice to go in the direction with Al because we felt that as a 27-year old goaltender there is a good opportunity to work with Wade and continue to grow his game and become a good asset for us moving forward," said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

Cheveldayoff said Montoya best fits the back-up goalie he had in mind, someone who

works hard night in and night out and continue to grow and succeed within the organization.

"The opportunity to have another younger type of goaltender who will earn starts and continue to earn starts, is an exciting thing," he said. "Hopefully the two of them can mesh together and create a good tandem that we can continue to give a strong load to Pavelec but also a good load to Al."

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