For Montoya, the postseason is about the community getting together and taking advantage of the excitement and adrenaline surrounding the game, not just the players on the ice. Everyone benefits, he feels, especially the community, when the Dallas Stars are playing in the postseason. This remark captures the significant influence that sports may have on the spirit and cohesion of a community.
Dismantling boundaries and hockey stereotypes is a crucial component of Montoya’s objective. He thinks that everyone can enjoy hockey, regardless of circumstances or background. Montoya and the Dallas Stars organization are actively trying to get this word out there through activities like trips to Mexico City and other outreach projects.
The Stars’ recent journey to Mexico City is evidence of their dedication to interacting with a variety of groups and promoting hockey’s inclusiveness. Through their interactions with kids who might not have been exposed to the sport before, Montoya and his group are creating chances for engagement and participation.
However, they don’t give up there. Beyond merely presenting hockey to new audiences, Montoya’s goal aims to empower and create a sense of belonging. The Stars are making hockey more inclusive and egalitarian by creating opportunities for everyone to participate in the sport and by encouraging diversity and inclusion within the hockey community.
It is admirable that Montoya is leading in this area, and it is clear that he is committed to the Dallas Stars organization’s strategy and culture development. Along the way, he is improving the lives of innumerable people and communities and extending the reach of hockey through his unceasing efforts. Montoya and the Dallas Stars are proving that hockey is a game for everyone as they keep working toward their goal.
“We started a program called Learn to Play. For children in Mexico City aged four to ten, there is a six-week program. They will graduate from the program in May, having begun in April. This is an opportunity to introduce them to the game that we adore and to offer them a chance to play it,” Montoya remarked.
The initiative, run in collaboration with the National Hockey League, involves fifty children.
Locally, Montoya has partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dallas to introduce hockey to schools and facilities throughout the area as part of the free Future Stars initiative. From two locations in 2023 to nine locations in 2024, the Future Stars program has expanded. Equipment and support are provided to the groups so they may run weekly youth hockey sessions in underprivileged areas.
The group stated that community outreach and fan engagement are greatly increased by the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 50/50 raffle fundraising efforts at home games have expanded as a result of the increased focus and awareness. The Dallas Stars Foundation, which supports North Texans via youth hockey, community engagement, health, and education, receives 50% of the jackpot funds raised.
The Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars are playing in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.