Born on June 30, 1969, Jim Montgomery is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. Currently serving as the head coach of the Boston Bruins in the National Hockey League (NHL), he previously held the position of head coach with the Dallas Stars. In his playing career as a center, Montgomery competed in the NHL, representing teams such as the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Dallas Stars.
Jim Montgomery's hockey journey began at the Cégep de Saint-Laurent Patriotes in Montreal during the 1987-1988 season. He later joined the Pembroke Lumber Kings in the Central Canada Hockey League in 1988-1989.
Montgomery's college career at the University of Maine spanned four years, where he earned recognition as an All-Star three times (1991, 1992, 1993). A highlight came in 1993 when he captained Maine to a remarkable 42–1–2 record and the National Championship, securing the NCAA tournament championship MVP. Montgomery concluded his college career as Maine's all-time leading scorer, amassing 301 points with 103 goals and 198 assists. His significant contributions led to the retirement of his jersey number, 19, alongside other honored players.
Moving to the professional realm, Montgomery signed with the St. Louis Blues for the 1993–94 NHL season, achieving career highs with 67 games played and 20 points. After a trade to the Montreal Canadiens and a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers, Montgomery embraced a successful 1995–96 season with the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, earning 105 points and AHL Second All-Star Team honors.
Montgomery's international stint included playing in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) in Germany (1996–97). He then spent two years with the Philadelphia Phantoms before joining the San Jose Sharks for the 2000–01 season. His NHL journey continued with the Dallas Stars, Utah Grizzlies, and a brief period in Russia before concluding with the Missouri River Otters in 2005, marking the end of his playing career.
Beginning as an assistant coach for Notre Dame in 2005–06, he later coached at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and took charge of the USHL's Dubuque Fighting Saints in 2010, winning the USHL championship in 2010–11. In 2013, he became head coach at the University of Denver, leading them to the 2017 National Championship game. Montgomery then joined the Dallas Stars in 2018, guiding them to their first playoff appearance in three years. However, he was dismissed in December 2019 for "unprofessional conduct."
After addressing alcohol abuse and undergoing rehab, Montgomery joined the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach in 2020. On June 30, 2022, he became the head coach of the Boston Bruins, earning praise for his positive coaching style. Despite a strong regular season, the Bruins faced disappointment in the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs, marked by challenging decisions that led to criticism of Montgomery's coaching approach.
Jim Montgomery Salary
Jim Montgomery's net worth and salary history are notable aspects of his career. On June 30, 2022, he signed a three-year contract as the coach of the Boston Bruins, securing just under $2 million per season. He has earned a total of $4,684,294, ranking him at #1986 in NHL/hockey career earnings.
FAQs
A: Jim Montgomery is the head coach of the Boston Bruins.
A: He played as a center in the NHL and captained the University of Maine to a National Championship in 1993.
A: Coached Dubuque Fighting Saints to a USHL championship and led the University of Denver to the 2017 National Championship game.
A: Montgomery faced challenges with the Dallas Stars, leading to dismissal in 2019. After addressing alcohol abuse, he joined the St. Louis Blues in 2020.
A: As Boston Bruins' head coach, he earns $1,900,000 per season under a three-year contract signed in June 2022.
