Jim Montgomery has a way of leaving a mark wherever he goes. Honestly, if you look at the sheer numbers, the guy is a winner. But hockey isn't just about the box score, is it? It’s about the locker room, the "process"—a word coaches love to death—and the ability to survive when the ice gets thin. When you look at the list of Jim Montgomery teams coached, you aren't just looking at a resume. You’re looking at a story of high-octane success, a very public fall from grace, and a redemption arc that has currently landed him back in the driver's seat in St. Louis.
Most people know him for the historic 2022-23 Boston Bruins season. You know, the one where they broke basically every regular-season record in existence. But his journey started way before the TD Garden lights, back when he was grinding in the USHL and proving that "college guys" could actually make the jump to the pros.
The Early Years: Building the Blueprint
Before he was an NHL Coach of the Year, Montgomery was cutting his teeth in the college ranks and junior hockey. He didn't just walk onto an NHL bench. He earned it by winning. Everywhere.
Dubuque Fighting Saints (2010–2013)
This is where the legend kind of starts. Montgomery took over the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL as both head coach and GM. He wasn't just managing lines; he was building a culture from the ground up. In three seasons, he led them to two Clark Cup championships (2011 and 2013).
He finished with a 118-45-21 record. That’s a winning percentage of .698. People in the hockey world started whispering that this guy had a "process" that actually worked. He was named USHL General Manager of the Year twice. It was clear he was outgrowing the junior ranks fast.
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University of Denver (2013–2018)
Then came Denver. The Pioneers are a blue-blood program, and Montgomery treated them like one. He took them to the NCAA Tournament every single year he was there. Five for five.
The peak? 2017. Denver won the National Championship, and Montgomery walked away with the Spencer Penrose Award as the national coach of the year. He had this puck-possession style that drove opponents crazy. It wasn't just "dump and chase"; it was calculated, fast, and modern.
Making the Leap: The Dallas Stars Era
In 2018, the Dallas Stars took a chance. They hired Montgomery directly from the college ranks, which is a move that makes some old-school hockey people nervous. But it paid off almost immediately.
- Year One (2018–19): He took a Stars team that had missed the playoffs for two straight years and dragged them into the second round. They lost a heartbreaker in Game 7 of the second round to the eventual champion St. Louis Blues.
- The Shocking Exit (2019): By December 2019, the Stars were 17-11-3. Things looked good. Then, suddenly, he was gone. Fired for "unprofessional conduct."
It was a heavy blow. Montgomery later admitted he had checked himself into rehab for alcohol abuse. He was incredibly honest about it, saying the Stars made the "appropriate call." It’s rare to see a coach at that level own a mistake so completely.
The Boston Bruins: Records and Heartbreak
After a stint as an assistant in St. Louis (2020–2022) to rebuild his reputation, the Boston Bruins came calling. They needed someone to replace Bruce Cassidy and bring a more "positive" energy to a veteran locker room.
What followed was the greatest regular season in NHL history.
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The Historic 65-Win Season
The 2022-23 Bruins were a juggernaut. Under Montgomery, they finished with:
- 65 wins (an NHL record).
- 135 points (another NHL record).
- The Jack Adams Award for Montgomery.
But then, the playoffs happened. They blew a 3-1 lead to the Florida Panthers in the first round. One of the greatest seasons ever ended in total disaster. Montgomery took heat for changing his goalie rotation, moving away from the Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman split that had worked all year.
The Firing in 2024
The hangover lasted. By the 2024-25 season, the Bruins were struggling. After an 8-9-3 start and a miserable 5-1 loss to Columbus, the Bruins let him go on November 19, 2024. It felt fast, but in a market like Boston, the clock ticks louder.
Jim Montgomery Teams Coached: The Timeline
To keep track of the movement, here is how the path looks in prose. He started as a volunteer at Notre Dame (2005-06) before moving to RPI as an assistant for four years. Then came the head coaching breakout with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (2010-13) and the University of Denver (2013-18).
His NHL head coaching stops include the Dallas Stars (2018-19) and the Boston Bruins (2022-24). He also served as an assistant for the St. Louis Blues for two seasons before finally returning to them as the man in charge.
Back to the Lou: The Current Chapter
On November 24, 2024—just five days after being fired by Boston—Montgomery signed a five-year deal to become the head coach of the St. Louis Blues.
The Blues didn't care about the Boston collapse. They saw a guy who had already helped them as an assistant and who knew how to win. General Manager Doug Armstrong called him the "full package." In early 2025, Montgomery showed why, leading the Blues to a franchise-record 12-game winning streak and clinching a playoff berth after the team had previously been floundering.
Why His Style Still Works
Montgomery’s "process" is built on two things: puck support and communication. He’s not a "scream-at-the-players" guy. He’s a "talk-to-the-players" guy. He values listening—something he says he learned during his recovery and his time away from the head coaching chair.
He also emphasizes a "D-to-D" transition that allows defensemen to be active in the play. If you watch the Blues right now, you see a team that doesn't panic with the puck. That’s the Montgomery thumbprint.
Key Stats at a Glance
- Jack Adams Award: 1 (2023)
- NCAA Championship: 1 (2017)
- Clark Cup (USHL): 2 (2011, 2013)
- NHL Regular Season Wins: Over 180 (and climbing)
Moving Forward: What to Watch
If you're following Jim Montgomery's career, the next step is seeing if he can finally translate regular-season dominance into a Stanley Cup. He’s won at the junior level. He’s won at the college level. He’s broken records in the NHL. The only thing missing is that silver trophy.
Actionable Insights for Hockey Fans:
- Watch the Defense: Pay attention to how St. Louis defensemen join the rush. Montgomery teams are notorious for using all five players in the offensive zone.
- Monitor the Locker Room: Montgomery is a "player's coach." Watch how veteran players respond to his leadership compared to more restrictive systems.
- Study the Bounce-Back: His career is a masterclass in professional resilience. If you're looking for a case study on how to handle a public firing and come back stronger, he’s the guy to watch.
The St. Louis Blues have committed to him for the long haul. With a five-year contract in his pocket, Montgomery finally has the stability he’s been chasing since his days in Denver.