Jim Montgomery May Have Just Leaked The Bruins Next Captain

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Austin Sabourin
September 19, 2023 (5:30 PM)

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As the Bruins' training camp looms large, attention once again gravitates towards Marchand.

He stands as one of the primary candidates to succeed Patrice Bergeron as the team's captain, a role brimming with responsibility.

In ongoing discussions among Coach Jim Montgomery, General Manager Don Sweeney, and President Cam Neely regarding the new captain, Neely outlined the key attributes they seek in a leader.

"First and foremost, you want someone that comes to play hard and work hard every day,"

Neely emphasized. He underscored the legacy of diligent captains like Ray Bourque, Zdeno Chara, and Bergeron, highlighting the significance of leading by example.

Montgomery said the perfect candidate needs to have a strong voice and a sympathetic ear. Part principal and part guidance counselor. A good cop and a bad cop all rolled into one.

«Someone that is confident in who they are,» said the coach. «Someone that isn't afraid to put his arm around a teammate and also hold a teammate accountable. And also, not afraid to come into my office and hold me accountable to what he believes if I'm doing the right things toward the team.

«I think he's the go-between the players and the coaches, and he's got to be comfortable communicating with everybody and [the media], being able to be there every day too, for you guys to have a source that has the pulse of the team and who's the leader of our team.»

Montgomery's remarks have added intrigue to the captaincy deliberations. His comment about what they are looking for in their next captain aligns with Marchand's on-ice persona, suggesting that Montgomery may have subtly hinted at the next captain's identity. A leader who embodies Marchand's tenacity and commitment both on and off the ice.

Source bostonglobe