TOUCH DOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: St Louis Head coach Jim Montgomery is Awarded as the best coach of the ……….. veiw more

TOUCHDOWN FEW MINUTES AGO: St Louis Head Coach Jim Montgomery Named NHL Coach of the Year

In a major announcement resonating across the hockey world, Jim Montgomery, the recently appointed head coach of the St. Louis Blues, has just been honored with the prestigious Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.

 A Stellar Season, A Historic Achievement

• Montgomery’s 2022‑23 season with the Boston Bruins saw the team shatter records—an incredible 65 wins and 135 points, the most ever in a single NHL season. With dominant stats like leading the league in regulation wins, road victories, penalty-kill percentage, and goal differential, he was an overwhelming choice for the award, receiving 79 of 81 first-place votes .
• This accolade marked his first Jack Adams win and drew praise for his inspiring acceptance speech, where he spoke candidly about overcoming personal challenges, notably battling alcoholism and returning stronger than ever .

A Move to St. Louis, Instantly Impactful

• On November 24, 2024, in a bold move by Blues’ GM Doug Armstrong, Montgomery was signed to a five-year deal, officially taking over from Drew Bannister
• His return was celebrated by fans and players alike. Captain Brayden Schenn noted his mix of structure and freedom, while forward Robert Thomas emphasized how Montgomery revitalized the team’s energy

Early Results in the Gateway City

• Under Montgomery’s leadership, the Blues surged to a respectable 44–30–8 record, clinching a playoff berth—slated to face the top-seeded Winnipeg Jet
• He finished the regular season with a 35–18–7 record after taking over, earning two first-place votes in the Jack Adams voting—though narrowly missing top-three overall—a nod to his adaptability and performance in mid-season transition

What This Means for the Blues

• Montgomery brings a winning blueprint: his teams have reached the playoffs every full season he’s coached in the NHL, and his .659 career points percentage ranks among the league’s best
• His candid, players-first coaching style—coupled with his emotional intelligence and organizational insight—has reignited passion in the Blues’ locker room, decidedly lifting expectations for a deep postseason run

Final Take

In just minutes—okay, metaphorical “touchdown” minutes—Jim Montgomery has leapfrogged into the conversation as one of the NHL’s elite coaches. Winning the 2023 Jack Adams Award, then steering the Blues into contention midseason, showcases both his tactical acumen and leadership resilience. For St. Louis, this is more than a touchdown—it’s a landmark pivot toward championship contention.

Let me know if you’d like a deeper dive into his coaching philosophy, the team’s playoff outlook, or fan reactions!