Prior to his current run with the St. Louis Blues, Jim Montgomery made quite the impact in his first season behind the Boston Bruins bench. The Bruins put together the best regular season record in NHL history at 65-12-5; their 135 points were 23 more than the second place team.
Insane.
Montgomery, who joined the Bruins organization following two seasons as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues from 2020-2022, began his NHL coaching career as Head Coach of the Dallas Stars in 2018, and in the 2018-19 season, he led the Stars to their first playoff berth in three years.
During TCS Live in 2016, Montgomery, a Montreal product who began his coaching career as an assistant coach with both Notre Dame University in 2005-06 before joining RPI for four seasons from 2006-2010, was Head Coach of the University of Denver men’s hockey team, one that improved each season under his guidance. Before coaching, Montgomery played professionally for 12 seasons over four leagues in addition to stints in Germany and Russia. He had nine goals and 25 assists for 34 points in 122 NHL games with St. Louis, Montreal, Philadelphia, San Jose and Dallas. He also had 493 points in 451 career AHL games.
"D-Zone breakouts and neutral zone counters are the two that create the best scoring chances."
Puck possession was the reason for their steady improvement, the former NCAA Coach of the Year attested, and this presentation provides invaluable insight into why. For Montgomery, the skill level doesn't matter as much as practicing specific tactics.
Noteworthy Timestamps:
- 0:25 Puck possession starts in practice
- 2:30 Faceoffs
- 4:05 Team puck possession
- 5:25 Defensive zone
- 9:30 Neutral zone: Chicago
- 13:35 Neutral zone: Climb
- 16:35 Offensive zone: Entries
- 19:00 Offensive zone play
- 20:35 Active defensemen
- 26:20 Q&A
