I CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT IS GOING ON: St Louis Blues Head Coach Jim Montgomery Make Major Announcement Of…. view More

On November 24, 2024, the Blues relieved Drew Bannister of his coaching duties following a 9‑12‑1 start and signed Jim Montgomery to a five-year head coaching contract—making him the 28th head coach in franchise history .

Remarkably, this move came just five days after Montreal-born Montgomery was fired by the Boston Bruins on November 19 after an 8‑9‑3 start .

Proven pedigree – In 2022–23, Montgomery led the Bruins to an NHL-record 65–12–5 regular season (135 points), earning him the prestigious Jack Adams Award .

Previous Blues roots – He served as an assistant coach from 2020–22, helping guide the team to a 109-point season, giving him an existing rapport and culture fit

Swift transition – The coaching change underscored how high Montgomery’s stock was, with GM Doug Armstrong describing it as an unmissable opportunity

Montgomery Weighs In

He called the shift “crazy,” saying returning felt like “coming home”, and joked: *“When something delicious falls on my plate, I eat. … I guess I was a T‑bone that day.”*

He praised the team culture and relationships, stating: *“I have worked with over half this lineup already … For me, this was a no‑brainer.”*

Early Returns & Fan Reactions

Debut boost: Montgomery’s first game as Blues coach was a turning point—a 5‑2 comeback win over the Rangers the next day .

Reddit pulse: One Blues fan declared:

> **“Monty is great… We’ve battled and won our way to a playoff spot.”**

Montgomery steps into a team poised for stability with a long-term commitment and a fanbase hungry for playoff contention.

He’s challenged to revitalize offence and special teams after a shaky start, but his track re

cord suggests he’s the catalyst they need .