Jim Montgomery Returns to St. Louis, Aims to Reignite the Blues
Jim Montgomery, who once served as an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues from 2020 to 2022, is returning to Missouri in a new role: head coach. This decision follows a tumultuous period for the Blues, who missed the playoffs under the leadership of interim coach Drew Bannister. Bannister had taken the reins from Craig Berube in December but failed to rally the team, finishing with a disappointing 9-12-1 start to the current season.
Montgomery, who was previously dismissed from the Boston Bruins, spoke candidly about his new chapter with the Blues. "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," he reflected, referring to the Blues' President and General Manager. Montgomery expressed enthusiasm for returning to a lineup he largely knows, having coached over half of the current players during his previous stint with the team. For him, the decision to come back was straightforward. "I have worked with over half this lineup already, and I know how committed they are. For me, this was a no-brainer to come back home," he said.
Despite a challenging season with the Bruins, where he experienced a 12-game losing streak out of 20, Montgomery's tenure in Boston was punctuated by notable success. He led the team to a record-setting 65-win, 135-point season in 2022-23, earning him Coach of the Year honors. His career, marked by a .659 points percentage, speaks volumes about his capabilities as a leader on the ice.
The choice to bring Montgomery back into the Blues fold comes with high expectations. Doug Armstrong lauds Montgomery's potential impact, saying, "He's one of those coaches that I really do believe can be with this team now and as it grows." It's an optimistic outlook for a team currently struggling, ranking in the bottom third for both their power play and penalty kill, and averaging just 2.36 goals per game.
In assuming this new role, Montgomery inherits a legacy of mixed fortunes. While he's credited with formidable achievements, he must address the Blues' recent struggles and their failure to secure a playoff berth in a league where half the teams miss out each season. "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," Montgomery stated. His confidence in the team's potential is evident, and he seems determined to transform their trajectory.
A significant factor in Montgomery's decision to take up this challenge is the backing of the Blues' ownership group, led by Tom Stillman. "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," Montgomery noted. This long-term vision and mutual commitment between leadership and coaching staff could prove vital in steering the Blues back towards success.
Reflecting on a guiding principle throughout his career, Montgomery mentioned, "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." It suggests a sense of timing and serendipity that he believes has brought him back to St. Louis at a time when he can make a significant impact.
Now, as the arena lights dim at Enterprise Center and Montgomery takes his place once more behind the bench, the Blues look toward a revitalized future. Fans and players alike hope that Montgomery's journey, from assistant to head coach, can bring a much-needed winning spirit back to the heart of St. Louis. With a veteran coach who knows the terrain and players ready to rise to new challenges, the Blues' aspirations for this season are once again reignited.