Jim Montgomery is a former professional ice hockey player and current coach. He played college hockey at the University of Maine, where he was a two-time All-American and helped lead the team to a national championship in 1993.
After college, Montgomery played professionally in Europe before returning to North America to play in the NHL. He played for the St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, and the German team SC Riessersee.
Montgomery retired from playing in 2005 and began his coaching career. He started as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Maine, before moving on to coach in the United States Hockey League and the American Hockey League.
In 2013, Montgomery was hired as the head coach of the Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey team. He led the team to a national championship in 2017 and was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference Coach of the Year in 2018.
In 2018, Montgomery was hired as the head coach of the Dallas Stars. He led the team to the playoffs in his first season and was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the NHL's coach of the year.
However, in December 2019, Montgomery was fired from his position as head coach of the Dallas Stars due to "unprofessional conduct." It was later revealed that he had entered a rehabilitation program for alcohol abuse.
Montgomery has since spoken publicly about his struggles with alcoholism and has become an advocate for mental health and addiction awareness in the hockey community.
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