I’m fortunate to not be alone: sentimental Jim Montgomery discusses his experiences with alcoholism.
Jim Montgomery, the head coach of the Boston Bruins, thought back to one of his lowest moments when he accepted the league’s coach of the year award.
At Monday night’s NHL Awards in Nashville, Montgomery took the Jack Adams Award and talked candidly with the crowd about the difficult path he had to take to get here.
In a moving address, he stated, “Three and a half years ago, the Dallas Stars terminated my contract because of my struggles with alcohol.” I had to alter my deeds and mannerisms. I now live a successful life as a result of that.
You have the ability to change, folks who are struggling. Change is something you can effect in yourself. It is not an isolated event. A team is required. A community is necessary for you. I’m fortunate.
The coach noted that Montgomery’s wife Emily “stuck around this guy through the ups and downs,” and Montgomery also mentioned his four siblings, his 91-year-old mother Dorothy, his children J.P., Colin, Ava, and Olivia, and his wife Emily.
“There are people I forgot to thank when I was up there because I got nervous,” Montgomery said after the awards ceremony.
Not used to speaking in that manner. as at ease in a changing area. Not really on such a large scale. But coach Craig Berube, owner Tom Stillman, and general manager Doug Armstrong of the Blues offered me another shot.
Montgomery told ESPN that adopting “an attitude of gratitude” every day has been the most important thing he has learned during his recuperation.
“I write down my blessings as soon as I wake up every day, and it helps me to get my mind straight, which makes me happy internally, and then I can share that happiness with others,” he said.
“I have,” Montgomery continued.
“I have found that being vulnerable creates trust more than anything else,” Montgomery continued. Furthermore, having vulnerability is a strength. Everyone struggles with various aspects of life.
Linus Ullmark, the Vezina Trophy-winning goalie for the Boston Bruins, stated that Montgomery’s openness about his difficulties helped the team bond with him.
“It resonates with me more because I have family members who have also struggled with addiction,” Ullmark added. It only goes to show that he lets everything out there because he is always so upfront about it. He is quite honest, which helps you to trust him.
You develop that friendship and connection with each other, which is crucial for the team atmosphere, so that I can trust him and he can trust us.
Montgomery was sacked by Dallas in December of 2019. ‘Material act of unprofessionalism opposed to the ideals and standards’ held by the team was the reason given at the time by general manager of the Stars, Jim Nill.
As a result, Montgomery checked himself into a rehab facility in January 2020. Montgomery claimed the Stars had made “an appropriate call” in firing him, calling it a “wakeup call” that made him aware of his “damaging lifestyle.”
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram revealed Montgomery’s motivations, claiming that Nill publicly challenged the coach.
Following his recovery, Montgomery became an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues under Berube.
On June 30, 2022, Boston hired him to take Bruce Cassidy’s place after Cassidy was sacked after the team lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round.
Montgomery led the Bruins to set single-season records for wins and points in the NHL with 65 and 132, respectively, in his first season in charge of the team’s bench.
Regretfully, Montgomery and the Bruins were defeated by the Florida Panthers in seven games during their first-round playoff series.His
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