Jim Montgomery shares his thoughts on coaching the Bruins after being introduced as the team’s new head coach on Monday.
One of the biggest criticisms, fair or unfair, of previous Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy is that he didn't develop young players well enough.
You could argue that the front office, and general manager Don Sweeney in particular, didn't give him the best talent to work with. But the fact remains that the Bruins do not have the ideal amount of young players contributing to the success of the NHL roster. Boston has only two star players under the age of 30 -- defenseman Charlie McAvoy and right winger David Pastrnak.
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Cassidy was fired on June 6, and earlier this month the Bruins announced that Jim Montgomery would replace him as the next head coach.
Montgomery most recently was an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues last season after working on some issues in his personal life. He also has prior head coaching experience with the Dallas Stars and led the University of Denver to a national title in 2016-17.
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Montgomery has enjoyed plenty of success wherever he's been behind the bench, and that includes having good relationships with young players. The Bruins are hoping he can achieve similar results in Boston as they look to integrate more of these younger players into the mix.
"I think my biggest strength is being able to connect with people," Montgomery said Monday at his introductory press conference.
"And whether that's younger players, older players, or that middle core group of your 24 through 28 years olds who are incredibly vital, I think the most important thing is I will communicate how important everyone's role is to the team success. I will always come back to how that person's individual success can help the team's success."
Montgomery will take in all kinds of feedback from players and other people within the team. But he's also going to instill the level of accountability required for individual players and the team to reach their maximum potential.
"I think you have to listen, and I prefer to listen before I speak, and then I'll turn it back into what is always best for the team, after I've listened to suggestions, ideas or opinions," Montgomery explained.
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"We're always going to be in this together. It will be a 'we' culture. But when it comes to accountability and final decisions, I will be firm there."