Jim Montgomery and Alex Ovechkin share a surprising past

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Dorin Canaday
February 11, 2023 (0:02)

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Before his days as an NHL coach, Jim Montgomery had a respectable hockey career.

After 11 seasons split between the IHL, AHL and NHL, a 34-year-old Montgomery found himself playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa in Russia during the 2003-04 season.

At the same time, a 17-year-old Alexander Ovechkin was already in his third year with Dynamo Moscow.

As per Jimmy Murphy of Boston Hockey Now, Montgomery shared the following story about the two's past prior to the Bruins and Capitals matchup on Saturday:

''I remember we were in a game at home. I don't really remember the score. I think we won 3-2 or 4-2. And he got into an argument with our fans. I remember him slashing at the glass. The fans were reaching out � it was the short glass � and they pulled on his jersey or something. I remember him turning around and it was like, �Oh, he's got a temper.' �'

Now, flash forward 20 years, and Ovie and the Capitals will be playing in Boston with Montgomery behind the bench tonight. Not only that, but a 37-year-old Ovechkin is chasing NHL history, as he's on the heels of Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record.

''I guess his greatness and the longevity. Like, you think he'd be slowing down. He's not slowing down. It's amazing. His dedication to his craft, how special he is at what he does. It's really impressive to witness. It's not often you're in an era where you see someone chasing Wayne Gretzky. I never thought someone would chase Wayne Gretzky's records, and here we are. That's a tribute to him.''

Ovechkin has scored 32 goals in 52 games this season and sits at 812 for his career. He needs just 82 to catch The Great One, and it's becoming more of a question of when, than will he.

SOURCE: Jimmy Murphy, Boston Hockey Now, Montgomery Remembers Playing �Manchild' Ovechkin