Three days after they announced a contract extension for GM Don Sweeney, the Boston Bruins appear to have a preference for a new head coach.
Several reports have indicated that former Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery is very close to running the bench in Beantown next season.
Montgomery, 53, was head coach in Dallas for one full season (2018-19), before being fired 31 games into his second campaign due to “unprofessional conduct.” The Montreal native subsequently entered an inpatient residential program for alcohol abuse and made a public statement, where he described his dismissal as a wake-up call.
He has been an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues the past two seasons.
Montgomery has a proven track record of success, having led the University of Denver Pioneers to the Frozen Four on two occasions in his five years with the school, including a national championship in 2017. Prior to that, he coached the Dubuque Fighting Saints to two USHL Clark Cups in just three seasons.
In his lone full season in Dallas, Montgomery saw the Stars finish in fourth place in the Central Division and earn their first playoff spot in three seasons. They were knocked out in the second round by the St. Louis Blues.
