Boston Bruins expected to bring in Jim Montgomery as new head coach, sources say

The Boston Bruins named Jim Montgomery as their new head coach, sources told ESPN on Thursday, confirming multiple reports.

The appointment is expected to be made official on Friday, the same day Montgomery’s contract as assistant coach with St. Louis Blues expired.

Montgomery, 53, replaces Bruce Cassidy, who was sacked by the Bruins on June 7 after six seasons on the bench. Cassidy has been appointed head coach of Vegas Golden Knights.

The Boston gig will be Montgomery’s second NHL head coach job. He was hired by Dallas in May 2018 and immediately brought the Stars back to the knockout stages for the first time in three years. But Montgomery’s tenure in Dallas did not last.

On December 10, 2019, he was fired by Stars for “unprofessional conduct inconsistent with the company’s core values ​​and beliefs”. Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League. “General Manager Jim Nill said there was an ‘unprofessional act’ that resulted in Montgomery’s firing without further explanation.

On January 3, 2020, Montgomery announced that he was in rehab for alcohol abuse.

In September 2020, The Blues hired Montgomery as assistant head coach Craig Berube. Montgomery was primarily involved in special teams, helping St. Louis ranked second overall (25.5%) in terms of play power and 10th (81.3%) in penalties over the past two seasons.

Montgomery was a former player, appearing in 122 NHL games between 1993 and 2003 between the Blues, Montreal Canada, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks and Star. He scored nine goals and 34 points.

After hanging up his boots, Montgomery made a number of successful coaching stops before rejoining the NHL ranks.

He was the head coach of the United States Hockey League’s Dubuque Fighting Saints from 2010 to 13, guiding the club to league championships in 2010-11 and 2012-13.

In 2013, Montgomery was appointed head coach at the University of Denver and led the Pioneers to the 2017 national championship. Montgomery was also named national coach of the year for the 2016-17 season. .

Boston is about to have its sixth straight playoff, ending with a first-round loss first Hurricane Carolina. Montgomery will be the 29th coach in Original Six franchise history.