BREAKING NEWS: Head Coach Jim Montgomery Blues made public announcement few minutes ago concerning……see more
Just minutes ago, the St. Louis Blues officially announced that Jim Montgomery has been appointed as their new head coach, agreeing to a five-year contract, and becoming the 28th head coach in franchise history
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🔁 A Swift Transition
Montgomery had been leading the Boston Bruins but was fired on November 19, 2024, following a sluggish 8–9–3 start to the season
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Just five days later, on November 24, 2024, St. Louis swooped in with a long-term offer, and Montgomery accepted immediately, signing on the spot .
📈 Proven Pedigree & Immediate Impact
Montgomery made history in 2022–23, leading the Bruins to a 65–12–5 record and 135 points, the best regular-season performance in NHL history—earning him the Jack Adams Award as Top Coach
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His NHL head coach record stands at 180–84–33 over 297 games, with every full season culminating in a postseason spot
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He returns to familiar ground in St. Louis, having been an assistant coach there from 2020–2022, and reconnects with many players from that era
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🎤 First Statements & Reaction
On taking the helm, Montgomery described the whirlwind of the past week as “crazy, crazy,” adding, “I’m a firm believer when one door closes another one opens,” and remarked how much relationships meant in guiding this opportunity
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He wore a cherished Blues sweatshirt from his previous stint, telling reporters, “Once a Blue, always a Blue”
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Stars like captain Brayden Schenn praised his style: “detailed and structured, but… lets guys play hockey”
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🧱 Early Success & Culture Reset
In his debut at London’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the Blues rallied past the Rangers 5–2, marking an auspicious start under Montgomery
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He emphasized building a blue-collar, hard-working culture in St. Louis, resonating with its fan base and history
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🎯 What’s Next?
Montgomery’s top priorities include:
Boosting consistency in the Blues’ power play and penalty kill units.
Unlocking the offensive potential of key players like Jordan Kyrou, Robert Thomas, and Brayden Schenn.
Positioning the team to return to playoff contention after missing the postseason the past two years
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With a multi-year contract backing him, full support from GM Doug Armstrong, and a familiar locker room, optimism is high in St. Louis.
Bottom line: The Jim Montgomery era has officially begun in St. Louis. His proven track record, strong relationships with players, and early results suggest this could be a transformative move for a team eager to reclaim competitiveness.
Related news on Montgomery’s move
nypost.com
Blues fire Drew Bannister, hire Jim Montgomery five days after being dumped by Bruins
Nov 24, 2024
Sources
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