Jim Montgomery Takes Over as Blues Head Coach, Replaces Drew Bannister
In a surprising turn of events, the St. Louis Blues have decided to part ways with head coach Drew Bannister, hiring Jim Montgomery as his replacement. The 55-year-old Montgomery, who had only recently been let go from his role as the head coach of the Boston Bruins, has signed a five-year contract with the Blues, marking a new chapter in both his and the team's journey. This move comes after the Blues struggled with a 9-12-1 record this season, which placed them sixth in the Central Division, struggling to find their form under Bannister's leadership.
Bannister had taken over the head coaching role in December 2023, after the Blues parted ways with Craig Berube. Bannister had made a name for himself coaching the AHL's Springfield Thunderbirds, where he led the team to a Calder Cup Final appearance in 2022. However, his time with the Blues was marked by inconsistency, as the team battled injuries and could not generate enough offensive depth. Despite Bannister's efforts, which included a brief but strong record after taking over, the Blues found themselves missing the playoffs last season by a narrow margin and are on track to miss them again this year.
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Montgomery, on the other hand, comes with a wealth of experience and a strong track record in the NHL. He was the architect of a historic 2022-23 season for the Boston Bruins, leading them to an astounding 65-12-5 record, the best in NHL history. Despite that regular-season success, Montgomery’s Bruins fell short in the first round of the playoffs, a disappointment that ultimately led to his firing this season after a rough start to the 2024 campaign. His tenure with the Bruins, however, showcased his ability to bring out the best in his players, earning him the Jack Adams Award as the NHL's best coach in 2023.
Before his time in Boston, Montgomery had also coached the Dallas Stars, where he helped the team to a successful 2018-19 campaign, earning a playoff spot. With his vast coaching experience, including a previous stint as an assistant coach with the Blues from 2020 to 2022, Montgomery is no stranger to St. Louis. His return to the organization is seen as a strategic move, one that could help the team recover from its current struggles and regain a competitive edge.
Montgomery’s connection to the Blues goes back further, as he was originally signed by the team in 1993 as an undrafted free agent after captaining the University of Maine to an NCAA championship. His NHL career as a player, though not as long as his coaching tenure, included stints with the Blues, where he played during the 1993-94 season.
While the decision to part ways with Bannister is a bold one, St. Louis hopes that Montgomery’s leadership will help steer the team back on course, especially with their roster filled with young talent. The Blues are banking on Montgomery’s experience to guide them through a season that has been anything but smooth, with key injuries and inconsistent play from both the forwards and goaltenders. As Montgomery steps in to guide the team, it will be interesting to see if his proven track record can help the Blues climb the ranks and make a push for the playoffs once again.
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