When the Dallas Stars team enters the post-season, Montoya says everyone wins, especially the community.
Montoya, the first Cuban American to play in the NHL, currently serves as the Vice President of Cultural and Strategic Growth for the Dallas Stars. He’s passionate about developing stars and the game of hockey with underrepresented communities locally and internationally.
“Montoya shared, “We’ve just come back from Mexico City, and we’re gearing up to go there again soon. It’s a chance for us to really show off our work and get our message across.”
The point being made is that hockey is a sport for everyone.. Their mission is to deliver this message to children who may not have access to it otherwise.
“We launched the ‘Learn to Play’ program. It’s a six-week program for children ages 4 to 10 in Mexico City. We started it in April, and they’ll graduate from the program in May. This is their chance to be,” Montoya said. We’ve shared our passion for the game with them and opened the door for them to join in and play too.
Fifty children are participating in the program, in partnership with the National Hockey League.
Locally, Montoya has worked with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas to participate in the Future Stars initiative for free, where they introduced hockey in schools and facilities across the area. The Future Stars program has grown from two sites in 2023 to nine sites in 2024. Programs receive support and necessary equipment to implement weekly youth hockey programs in underserved communities.
The team added that Stanley Cup playoffs provide a big boost to fan engagement and community outreach. Increased interest and awareness led to increased fundraising efforts for 50/50 raffles at home games. Fifty percent of the jackpot proceeds go to the Dallas Stars Foundation, which works to support and enrich the lives of North Texans through youth hockey, community engagement, health, and education.
The Dallas Stars are in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche.