The Boston Bruins coach will join forward David Pastrnak and goaltender Jeremy Swayman at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game.
Although Jim Montgomery was chosen for the NHL All-Star Game for the second straight year, the Boston Bruins coach may be looking forward to this season more than others.
Montgomery will play for the Atlantic Division in the All-Star game on February 3 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, the NHL announced on Sunday.
Montgomery told reporters on Saturday, “It means we have a lot of good hockey players and we’re very blessed.” And because the Bruins have good players, coaches attend All-Star games, so I’m happy that I get to coach them.
Although the award is still the same, Montgomery’s path to being selected as an All-Star this season looked different from that of the 2022–2023 campaign.
Montgomery’s 65-win, 135-point campaign from the previous year was clearly deserving of credit; after all, he won the Jack Adams Award at the June NHL Awards. However, players like Nick Foligno, Taylor Hall, David Krejci, and Patrice Bergeron also had a major role in that accomplishment.
There were doubts about the Bruins’ potential in this “new era” going into the 2023–24 season without the talent and leadership of that seasoned squad. The group, led by Montgomery, has performed much better than anticipated.
Boston has 59 points with a 25-8-9 record, good for first place in the Atlantic Division. Although there have been periods of poor play, Montgomery and the Bruins’ response to increased hardship is what has once again earned the coach an All-Star selection.
The staff at B’s organization changed, but the bar for greatness remained the same. Whether they are experienced defenseman like Matt Grzelcyk and Kevin Shattenkirk or rookie centers Johnny Beecher and Matt Poitras, Montgomery demands the best from all of his players.
Through the first half of the season, Montgomery’s communication skills have been a recognized strength in his coaching style. Players have committed to playing whatever position will help the Bruins win hockey games, regardless of their size.
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A two-goal night from Charlie McAvoy gives the Boston Bruins an overtime victory.
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Montgomery has made numerous changes to his starting lineup this season as he continues to play around with the lineups and chemistry of his club. It has also presented numerous opportunities.
fresh purchases Danton Heinen and Morgan Geekie have contributed variety to the B’s forward group by skating in both the top and bottom six all season long. In recent times, Trent Frederic has been playing his best and most assured hockey, and Charlie Coyle has emerged as a reliable second-line center.
The Bruins club of 2023–24 bears Montgomery’s true imprint.
Boston has remained at the top of the league rankings in what was expected to be a transition year thanks to Montgomery’s message, vision, and accountability. Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak, and Charlie McAvoy have all been more than successful letter-wearers. It appears that All-Stars are composed of that.
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