According to Rogers Sportsnet on Sunday, the St. Louis Blues have named Jim Montgomery of Montreal, Quebec as their new head coach. This is the third National Hockey League team Montgomery has coached for in his career. Montgomery previously coached the Dallas Stars from 2018 to 2020, and the Boston Bruins from 2022 to 2024.
In 298 games, Montgomery has a record of 180 wins, 84 regulation losses, and 33 losses in extra time for a winning percentage of .659. While with the Bruins in 2022-23, he had a historic season. Montgomery guided the Bruins to NHL records for most wins in a season (65), and most points in a season (135). That season Montgomery won the Jack Adams, presented to the NHL coach of the year.
As a player, Montgomery played six seasons in the NHL from 1993 to 2003. He was with the Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Stars. In 122 games, Montgomery had nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points. He was a -6 with 80 penalty minutes, seven power-play points, one game-winning goal, one shorthanded point, and 109 shots on goal.
The game-winning goal came on February 8, 1994 in a 6-5 Blues win over the Winnipeg Jets. Montgomery scored an unassisted goal at 15:13 which put the Blues up 6-3 at the time.
In St. Louis, Montgomery takes over from Drew Bannister of Belleville, Ontario. The Blues are tied for fifth place with the Utah Ice Hockey Club in the Central Division with 19 points.
