As the Bruins coach accepted the Jack Adams Award, he gave some thought to his drinking and recovery.

As the Bruins coach accepted the Jack Adams Award, he gave some thought to his drinking and recovery.

NASHVILLE — Jim Montgomery accepted the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the league’s coach of the year, on stage at Bridgestone Arena.

The modest Bruins bench boss is still appreciative of his second opportunity in the NHL and in life in general.

After almost a season and a half, Montgomery left the Dallas Stars due to his battles with drinking. Following his time in treatment, he rejoined the NHL coaching ranks and accepted a position as an assistant coach in St. Louis before moving to Boston in the summer of last year.

He spoke up to his family, friends, and other support system members about his issues, and they all helped him get sober. During his acceptance speech on Monday, Montgomery let the public into his personal life.

Montgomery stated during his statement, “I had to change my actions and behaviors because the Dallas Stars terminated my contract because of alcohol three and a half years ago.” “That’s when the success I live every day today is brought about by my new team, the most important team in my life.”

Montgomery’s success in the rink says it all. But even three years after his rehabilitation, his off-ice persona is still outstanding.

His past drinking problems came to light not long after he was fired in Dallas. Nevertheless, Montgomery will not hold back while discussing his past, whether it is in private or in front of the cameras.

Montgomery’s account was told to Linus Ullmark. He acknowledged that, considering the Ullmark family’s own issues with alcoholism, he could relate to Montgomery’s experience.

After winning the Vezina Award, Ullmark remarked, “For me, it hits home a little more because I’ve had it in my family as well.” It indicates that he spills everything, then, that he is always so honest about it. Because he is so transparent, you can trust him.

After leading the squad to a record-breaking regular season, Montgomery earned the confidence of the Boston Bruins this season. After the low point in his life three years prior, he became even more confident.

Montgomery, who is starting his second season in Boston, still possesses two vital traits that he relied on while healing.

Among the qualities Montgomery carried over from his time in treatment, he said, “an attitude and gratitude.” “I take a moment each morning to write down my blessings. That simply straightens my thinking and makes me happy inside, which allows me to share that happiness with other people.

To cap off their record-breaking regular season with Lord Stanley in tow would have been the ultimate goal for Montgomery, Ullmark, Patrice Bergeron (who easily won his sixth career Selke Award on Monday), David Pastrnak (who came in a distant second to Conor McDavid on the Hart Trophy ballot), and the rest of the Bruins. In 2023–24, they will have another opportunity at redemption, albeit with a different squad than they had in the previous campaign.