Sam Montembeault

Last updated
Samuel Montembeault
Samuel Montembeault 2019.jpg
Montembeault with the Springfield Thunderbirds in 2019
Born (1996-10-30) October 30, 1996 (age 27)
Bécancour, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Left
NHL team
Former teams
Montreal Canadiens
Florida Panthers
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft 77th overall, 2015
Florida Panthers
Playing career 2015present

Samuel Montembeault (born October 30, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 77th overall, by the Florida Panthers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

Junior

Montembeault first played junior hockey in his native Quebec, with the Trois-Rivières Estacades of the Quebec Junior AAA Hockey League (QMAAA) from 2011 to 2013. Showing early promise as the starting goaltender with the Estacades, Montembeault was selected to the Second All-Star Team and collected the Best Goalie Prospect award for the 2012–13 season. He was selected 40th overall by the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the 2013 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft.

After appearing in a career high 52 games with the Armada during his second season in the QMJHL in 2014–15, Montembeault was selected by the Florida Panthers in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

Montembeault with the Thunderbirds in 2019. Samuel Montembeault 2019 8.jpg
Montembeault with the Thunderbirds in 2019.

In the following 2015–16 season, recorded a 17–19–8 record with a 2.63 goals against average, .901 save percentage with three shutouts. Leading the Armada in the post-season, Montembeault was named the Vaughn Canadian Hockey League Goaltender of the Week for the week ending April 3 after earning a 3–1 record, 2.27 goals against average and .933 save percentage during Blainville’s first round playoff series win against Val-d'Or Foreurs. Montembeault finished the postseason with a 2.45 goals against average, .925 save percentage and one shutout.

On May 10, 2016, Montembeault was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Florida Panthers. [2] He returned for his final junior season in the QMJHL, establishing new career high with 2.40 goals against average and a .907 save percentage.

Professional

Florida Panthers

In his first professional season, Montembeault attended the Panthers' 2017 training camp, before being re-assigned to begin the 2017–18 season in the American Hockey League (AHL) with affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. He made his professional debut, making 25 saves for the Thunderbirds, in a 3–2 defeat to the Providence Bruins on October 13, 2017. [3] He collected his first win in his seventh outing, backstopping the Thunderbirds in a 5–3 decision over the Hartford Wolf Pack on November 3, 2017. [4] With the Thunderbirds finishing well out of the playoffs, Montembeault finished with 13 wins through 41 games. [5]

Montembeault was assigned to continue in the AHL with Springfield to begin the 2018–19 season. After 33 games with the Thunderbirds, having already matched his previous win totals, Montembeault received his first recall by the Panthers due to starting goaltender Roberto Luongo briefly leaving the team on bereavement, in February 2019. [6] In his second recall to the Panthers following an injury to backup James Reimer, Montembeault made his NHL debut in a 4–3 overtime defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida on March 2, 2019. [7]

Montreal Canadiens

On October 1, 2021, Montembeault was placed on waivers by the Panthers. The following day, he was claimed by the Montreal Canadiens. [8] Montembeault made his debut for the team in a preseason game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, where the Canadiens lost 6–2, but Montembeault was widely credited for a strong performance despite weak defending by the team. [9] Following starting goaltender Carey Price's taking a leave of absence for mental health reasons, Montembeault temporarily became the primary backup goaltender to Jake Allen. [10] On January 12, 2022, Allen was injured in a game against the Boston Bruins and subsequently announced to be out for at least two months, with Montembeault becoming the Canadiens' starting goaltender in the meantime. [11] The Canadiens named him their player of the month for January, having become the first goaltender in team history to post two consecutives games with 48 saves or more. [12] He earned his first NHL shutout win against the Buffalo Sabres on February 23, 2022. [13] Upon Allen's return, Montembeault played only sparingly, however, after the former was re-injured in early April, he again became the team's starting goaltender. [14] Following the conclusion of the season, Montembeault underwent wrist surgery. [15]

On July 18, 2022, Montembeault was re-signed to a two-year, $2 million contract extension with the Canadiens. [16] Beginning the 2022–23 season as Allen's backup, he was soon noted for markedly improved performance, particularly when evaluated by advanced statistics. [17] A notable stretch of games in January saw an injury to Allen necessitate Montembeault taking over as starter again, playing eight straight games and recording a 4-4-0 record with a .930 save percentage in that span. The team's general manager, Kent Hughes, praised his performance and said "he still has a lot to experience as a goalie, but we see the potential. So Sam definitely isn’t going anywhere." [18] Discussion of whether Montembeault should be treated as the team's main goaltender on a long-term basis began in sports media. [19] Upon Allen's return, the two largely alternated starts on an equal basis. [20] Montembeault finished second to team captain Nick Suzuki for the Molson Cup as team player of the year. [21] Upon the conclusion of the season, he was given the chance to represent Canada internationally for the first time. [22]

The Canadiens began the 2023–24 season with three goaltenders on the roster, as, in addition to Montembeault and Allen, prospect goaltender Cayden Primeau was no longer exempt from waivers and thus could not be sent down to the AHL's Laval Rocket without possibly being lost to another team. This precipitated discussions about one of the three being traded. [23] Montembeault appeared in ten games in the first two months of the season, recording a 5-3-1 record and a .910 save percentage, before it was announced on December 1 that he had been re-signed to a three-year, $9.45 million contract. [24]

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
World Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2023 Finland/Latvia

Montembeault was named to Team Canada for the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, however, as the team's third goaltender, did not see tournament play. [25] Seven years later, following the Canadiens not qualifying for the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, Montembeault accepted an invitation to join the national senior team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. [22] In his first international appearance, he recorded a shutout victory over Team Latvia. [26] Montembeault started seven of the team's ten games, including all in the knockout rounds, posting a 1.42 goals against average and a .939 save percentage en route to Canada winning the championship. [27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLOTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
2011–12Trois-Rivières Estacades QMAAA 10001000.001.000
2012–13Trois-Rivières EstacadesQMAAA19117111104712.54.9156422.79.915
2013–14 Blainville-Boisbriand Armada QMJHL 149117142802.35.89811053303.40.824
2014–15 Blainville-Boisbriand ArmadaQMJHL5233117310413432.59.8916243531402.38.878
2015–16 Blainville-Boisbriand ArmadaQMJHL4717198271111932.63.90111556852812.45.925
2016–17 Blainville-Boisbriand ArmadaQMJHL41289122268962.40.9071812610704202.35.910
2017–18 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 4113233219611923.25.896
2018–19 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL3913168218811813.24.899
2018–19 Florida Panthers NHL 114325923003.05.894
2019–20 Florida PanthersNHL145517013903.34.890
2019–20 Springfield ThunderbirdsAHL115516593313.00.918
2020–21 Syracuse Crunch AHL138417753712.86.898
2021–22 Montreal Canadiens NHL388186194312213.77.891
2022–23 Montreal CanadiensNHL4016193233413303.42.901
2023–24 Montreal CanadiensNHL4116159242912703.14.903
NHL totals1444960217,99845113.38.898

International

YearTeamEventResultGPWLOTMINGASOGAASV%
2023 Canada WC Gold medal icon.svg76104231011.42.939
Senior totals76104231011.42

Awards and honours

AwardYearRef
QMAAA
Second All-Star Team2013 [28]
Best Goalie Prospect2013 [29]
CHL
CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game 2015 [30]
QMJHL
Second All-Star Team 2017 [31]
AHL
All-Star Game 2019 [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Théodore</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1976)

José Nicolas Théodore is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Montreal Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Minnesota Wild, and Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tomáš Vokoun</span> Czech ice hockey player (born 1976)

Tomáš Vokoun is a Czech former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1997 to 2013, mainly with the Nashville Predators. He was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the ninth round, 226th overall, in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, and played one game for the team, as well as playing with the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Internationally, Vokoun played for the Czech national team at several tournaments, including the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 2006, as well as gold medals at the 2005 and 2010 World Championships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carey Price</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1987)

Carey Price is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently under contract with the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered one of the best goaltenders in the world during his career, Price is the winningest goaltender in Canadiens history as of the 2023–24 season, with 361 career wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Montoya</span> American ice hockey player (born 1985)

Álvaro Silva Montoya is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender who played a total of nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Arizona Coyotes, New York Islanders, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens, and Edmonton Oilers. He was selected in the first round, sixth overall, by the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft after a three-year collegiate career with the University of Michigan. Montoya is the first Cuban-American to play in the NHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Ellis (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)

Daniel Ellis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who currently works as a goaltending scout for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Markström</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1990)

Jacob Anders Markström is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the second round, 31st overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. He previously played for the Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Calgary Flames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike McKenna (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player

Mike McKenna is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. McKenna was selected in the 6th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators and played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Dallas Stars, Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers. Mckenna worked the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs for TNT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antti Niemi (ice hockey)</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1983)

Antti Niemi is a Finnish former professional ice hockey goaltender. During the 2009–10 season as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, he became the first Finnish goaltender to win the Stanley Cup, and has also played for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, and Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Allen (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Jake Allen is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 34th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019. Allen has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrei Vasilevskiy</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Andrei Andreyevich Vasilevskiy is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round, 19th overall, by the Lightning at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, and is widely regarded as one of the best goaltenders currently in the NHL, and possibly in league history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Driedger</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1994)

Chris Driedger is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Driedger was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Lyon (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player (born 1992)

Alexander Augustus Lyon is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played collegiately for the Yale Bulldogs men's ice hockey team, competing in the ECAC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Lindgren</span> American ice hockey player (born 1993)

Charlie Lindgren is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, Lindgren has also previously played for the Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Martin (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Spencer Martin is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). Martin was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the third round, 63rd overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Casey DeSmith</span> American ice hockey goaltender

Casey DeSmith is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He holds the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins record for most saves in a playoff game. DeSmith was named to the AHL's 2016–17 All-Rookie Team and was a co-recipient of the 2017 Harry "Hap" Holmes Memorial Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Daccord</span> American ice hockey player (born 1996)

Joel "Joey" Daccord is a Swiss-Canadian-American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 199th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

Devon Levi is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Strauss Mann is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Augsburger Panther of the German Hockey League (DEL). He previously played for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL), the Laval Rocket and San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL), and collegiately at the University of Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jakub Dobeš</span> Czech ice hockey player

Jakub Dobeš is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender for the Laval Rocket of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fifth round, 136th overall, by the Canadiens in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leevi Meriläinen</span> Ice hockey player

Leevi Meriläinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender for the Belleville Senators in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Meriläinen previously played with the Oulun Kärpät of the top-tier Finnish Liiga and major junior hockey with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Kingston Frontenacs. He was selected 71st overall in the third round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa. He made his North American professional debut with Ottawa in April 2023.

References

  1. Little, Todd (January 29, 2016). "Florida Panthers Class of 2015 Update". SB Nation . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  2. Brough, Jason (May 10, 2016). "Panthers sign their top goalie prospect Montembeault". NBC Sports . Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  3. "Springfield Thunderbirds @ Providence Bruins - Friday, October 13, 2017 Game Summary". TheAHL.com. October 13, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2017.
  4. "Hartford Wolf Pack @ Springfield Thunderbirds Friday, November 3, 2017 Game Summary". TheAHL.com. November 3, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  5. DeFranks, Matthew (May 22, 2018). "Done with first pro season, Panthers goalie prospect Montembeault has "all the talent in the world"". Sun-Sentinel . Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. "Panthers recall goaltender Sam Montembeault from Springfield (AHL)". Florida Panthers. February 17, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2019 via NHL.com.
  7. "Montembeault's NHL Debut Spoiled, Hurricanes Come Back To Beat Panthers In OT". CBS Miami . March 3, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  8. "Canadiens claim Samuel Montembeault off waivers". Montreal Canadiens. October 2, 2021 via NHL.com.
  9. MacMillan, Ken (October 6, 2021). "Montreal Canadiens: Skaters Give Sam Montembeault No Chance in Only Preseason Action". FanSided .
  10. O'Brien, James (October 7, 2021). "Price on leave from Canadiens, enters player assistance program". NBC Sports . Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  11. "Allen out eight weeks for Canadiens with lower-body injury". NHL.com. January 21, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  12. "Samuel Montembeault earns Molson Cup for January". Montreal Canadiens. February 8, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022 via NHL.com.
  13. "Suzuki scores two, Montembeault grabs first shutout; Canadiens top Sabres". TSN.ca. February 23, 2022.
  14. Leijon, Erik (April 12, 2022). "Montembeault earns place in Habs' goalie debate". Montreal Gazette .
  15. "Medical update regarding Samuel Montembeault". Montreal Canadiens. May 9, 2022 via NHL.com.
  16. "G Samuel Montembeault signs two-year extension with Canadiens". Sportsnet.ca. July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  17. Godin, Marc Antoine (December 21, 2022). "Why Sam Montembeault's Canadiens breakout is not surprising to those that know him best". The Athletic .
  18. Cowan, Stu (January 26, 2023). "Canadiens' Sam Montembeault grabs bull by the horns". Montreal Gazette .
  19. Hickey, Pat (January 22, 2023). "Sam Montembeault staking claim to be No. 1 goalie". Montreal Gazette .
  20. Szporer, Ryan Antoine (March 18, 2023). "Canadiens' Goalie Montembeault Lays Claim to No. 1 Job". TheHockeyWriters.com.
  21. "Nick Suzuki wins the Canadiens' Molson Cup Player of the Year". Montreal Canadiens. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023 via NHL.com.
  22. 1 2 "End of season blog - April 14". Montreal Canadiens. April 14, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2023 via NHL.com.
  23. Galanopoulos, Chris (November 20, 2023). "How Long Will the Montreal Canadiens Keep Three Goalies?". The Hockey News . Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  24. "Three-year contract extension for Samuel Montembeault". Montreal Canadiens. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023 via NHL.com.
  25. Milner, Evan (April 27, 2023). "Montembeault: 'Couldn't be happier' in Montreal". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved April 27, 2023 via NHL.com.
  26. "Flames' Weegar, Canadiens' Montembeault lead Canada to win over Latvia at worlds". Sportsnet.ca. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  27. Cowan, Stu (May 28, 2023). "Canadiens' Samuel Montembeault is good as gold". Montreal Gazette . Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  28. "Awards - QM18AAA Second All-Star Team". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  29. "Awards - QM18AAA Best Goalie Prospect". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  30. "2015 BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Rosters". CHL.ca. December 17, 2014. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  31. "The Golden Puck Awards: an unforgettable evening!". CHL.ca. Cape Breton Screaming Eagles. April 6, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  32. Olive, Jameson (January 30, 2019). "AHL All-Star Montembeault making strides in 2nd season with Thunderbirds". Florida Panthers. Retrieved February 14, 2019 via NHL.com.