NASHVILLE | Jim Montgomery spoke from the heart as he took the stage at the Bridgestone Arena to accept the Jack Adams Trophy, presented to NHL Coach of the Year.
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For Montgomery, this award meant far more than just having his name on an individual tribute. It was also his victory over a demon, alcoholism.
On December 10, 2019, Montgomery lost his job as the Dallas Stars head coach due to “inappropriate behavior.” A few months later he had confided in the evil that had been nagging at him for too long.
A year after his release, the original Montrealer had found a job in the NHL as an assistant to Craig Berube with the Blues. After two seasons in St. Louis, he accepted the coaching job with the Bruins.
In his first season in Boston, he led the Bruins to a historic year with 65 wins and 135 points, both NHL records. He was therefore a logical choice for the title of Coach of the Year.
On the podium in the media room, Montgomery spoke about his career in interviews with Quebec journalists.
“I hope it’s an inspiration to others,” he said in French. I wanted to thank everyone who helped me. It’s several people: friends from Montreal, friends from St. Louis, referees, other coaches. And my family. They are people I like to have in my life because they have not let me down.
- Listen to the interview with Kevin Dubé, Sports Writer at Journal de Québec. above QUB radio :
An application
Montgomery has been sober for more than three years and has made some changes in his daily life. Almost every day he uses an app on his cell phone to write down the things that make him happy.
Martin Chevalier / JdeM
“It can be very simple things like my kids or the sun outside, it’s not always philosophical but it makes me feel good,” he said. In the beginning it was a daily struggle. But not now. One day at a time, but it gets easier as you acquire tools that make you feel stronger.”
A happy mom
Montgomery also thought of her 91-year-old mother, Dorothy, who watched the trophies from her home in Montreal.
“I think she looked,” he said with a smile. She is 91 years old. The memory is not always there. I’m just glad she’s alive.