Personal Struggles Helped Mold Jim Montgomery's Coaching Style

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Dorin Canaday
April 16, 2023 (4:15)

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Jim Montgomery led the Boston Bruins to a historic season in 2022-23, but not long ago, the NHL coach was going through some very dark personal times.

Montgomery was previously the head coach of the Dallas Stars from 2018 to 2020 before he was fired due to ''a personal behaviour issue'' later revealed as an alcohol addiction.

Using Past Struggles as a Lesson

Back in December, the Bruins bench boss joined the Got Yer Back Podcast with TSN's Pierre LeBrun and Ryan Rishaug to discuss the importance of accepting when to ask for help when dealing with addictions. Have a listen below:

After Montgomery was relieved of his duties by Dallas in 2020, he voluntarily checked himself into rehab for abusing alcohol. Stars GM Jim Nill confirmed that the team was concerned about his addiction at the time and even confronted him on several occasions about it.

The firing was obviously a blessing in disguise because as he states, it made him realize a better way of going by teaching the game. This is evident in Boston this season as his positive coaching has brought out the best (literally ever) of his team.

It's been a breath of fresh air for the Bruins after many rumours of how hard Bruce Cassidy may have been on the players during his time in Boston.