The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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he provide two national titles, Turco played goal in three regular-season league championship years and two CCHA Tournament championship runs. Turco still holds the NCAA record for most wins by a goaltender with 127 victories in his four years at Michigan. Drafted in the fifth round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Turco solidified the goaltender position for the Stars from 2000-10, and also played for Chicago and Boston. After the 2002-03 season, Turco finished second in the vot- ing for the Vezina Trophy, the NHL's award for best goaltender. Josh Blackburn stepped right in at Michigan after Turco, continuing the pattern of one-goaltender reliance and successful performances, tending goal for U-M from 1998-99 through 2001-02. Blackburn backstopped two Michigan Frozen Four appearances, two CCHA Tournament championships and two regular-season CCHA championships, total- ing 91 wins in his 150 appearances. Currently serving as Michigan's goaltender coach, Blackburn posted save percentages over .900 in all four of his seasons as backstop for the Wolverines. "It's great to be a part of that tradition," Blackburn said of his playing days. "I have great memories. But, I also think it's easier to play that way in a one-goalie system. I think it's easier mentally when you don't have a great game, but you know that you're going back out there the next night or the next weekend." After a season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, Mon- toya joined Michigan's program in 2002-03, directly following Blackburn. For three seasons, Montoya was Michigan's main man in goal, providing 86 wins in his 123 appearances before leaving after his junior year to pursue an NHL career. Drafted sixth overall by the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Mon- toya has served as backup goaltender for the NHL's Phoenix (now Arizona) Coy- otes, New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets. Montoya currently fills the backup role for the Florida Panthers. Like his three immediate predecessors at Michigan, Montoya logged the bulk of playing time minutes for the Wolverines. His years at Yost Arena continued the pattern of success of those he followed. Michigan had one Frozen Four ap- pearance, two CCHA Tournament championships and two CCHA regular-season championships with Montoya between the pipes. The years following dominance by Shields, Turco, Blackburn and Montoya have been notable for their timesharing netminding combinations, with one notable exception. Shawn Hunwick made the improbable move from walk-on third-string backup goalie to hero in 2010 when he stepped in for Michigan as a last-gasp replacement. Hunwick turned savior, leading Michigan to a CCHA Tournament championship and clinching an NCAA Tournament bid. Hunwick then proceeded to secure the job as lead goaltender for the Wolverines for the following two seasons. — Bob Miller