Jim Montgomery Returns to the St. Louis Blues as Head Coach
Jim Montgomery, previously an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues, has circled back to a familiar place by taking the helm as the team's head coach. His appointment comes after the Blues missed the playoffs last season under the guidance of Drew Bannister, who had been charged with leading the team following the departure of Craig Berube in December. While Bannister struggled to turn the tide, resulting in a 9-12-1 start to the current season, Montgomery has stepped in as a potential savior for the franchise.
In his previous stint with the St. Louis Blues organization from 2020 to 2022, Montgomery developed a keen understanding of the team dynamics and established strong relationships with several players. "I have worked with over half this lineup already, and I know how committed they are," Montgomery noted when speaking about the familiarity he brings to his new role. His tenure with the Blues was marked by the fostering of relationships that now play a pivotal role in his return. "For me, this was a no-brainer for me to come back home."
A Coaching Career in Transition
Jim Montgomery's journey back to the Blues comes on the heels of his dismissal from the Boston Bruins. Despite a challenging stretch where Montgomery endured a losing streak in 12 out of 20 games with the Bruins, his time with Boston was not without its successes. Notably, he led the Bruins to an impressive 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23 and was named the league's Coach of the Year. This accolade acknowledged his capacity to orchestrate remarkable results, underscored by his career .659 points percentage.
Describing the decision to join the Blues, Montgomery remarked on being contacted by Doug Armstrong, the Blues' President and General Manager: "When you get a phone call and you hear Doug Armstrong's plan and how you're a big part of it, that makes you feel it is the right place to go." Armstrong, full of optimism about the new direction, expressed confidence in Montgomery's leadership, saying, "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows."
Challenges Ahead for Blues and Montgomery
Tasked with revamping a team that currently ranks in the bottom third for both power play and penalty kill, Montgomery's strategic prowess will be tested. The Blues are averaging just 2.36 goals per game, a metric that highlights the offensive challenges facing the team. Yet, Montgomery remains optimistic about the team's potential saying, "It's not easy to make the playoffs in this league. Half the teams miss it. But I do think that in time this is a caliber playoff team."
The commitment from the Blues' management and ownership is evident in Montgomery's five-year contract. He praised the supportive role of the Bluenote ownership group, led by Tom Stillman, noting the collective journey ahead. "It's about your relationships in life... The five-year deal shows the commitment of Tom Stillman and the ownership group, that we are in this together." This reflects a commitment to laying a long-term foundation for success in a highly competitive league where chances to compete in the postseason are equally shared with risk and reward.
A Hopeful New Chapter
Jim Montgomery faces a challenging yet promising opportunity to lead the St. Louis Blues back to prominence. With extensive familiarity with the existing roster and a solid record of past successes, both the management and fans are hopeful. The Blues are eager to reverse their fortune on the ice and restore themselves to a playoff-contender status.
As Montgomery steps back into this pivotal role, his eyes remain firmly set on the horizon, inspired by a personal mantra: "The best line that put his hooks into me is, 'When you do the right thing, another door opens.' I guess I was a T-bone that day." For Montgomery, the right doors are opening once again, with aspirations of steering the Blues to new heights and eventually clinching a coveted playoff berth.