Jim Montgomery is now the St. Louis Blues head coach and we can all agree it was one genius move from general manager Doug Armstrong. Montgomery was the exact coach this retooling team needed if they wanted to speed up this lengthy process, and it seems the new bench boss is ready to take on the challenge of getting this retooling team into shape.
Yet when you listen to some of what Montgomery had to say, it’s hard to not get inspired. Not just for what he may have in store for the Blues, but he also shared some valuable lessons we can all take away.
In Dan Rosen’s recent article at NHL.com, Montgomery said, "Crazy. Crazy. There's no other word for it. A lot of emotions. I'm a firm believer when one door closes another one opens if you do the right thing. And it's about your relationships in life. At the end of the day when we're all done and retired and we're not fortunate enough and privileged enough to be in NHL buildings again, it's the relationships you have in your life."
There are two things about what Montgomery said that we can all, hockey fan or not, take away here. One, it’s that there are times we can dwell too much on the ‘what-if’ mechanisms in life when we reach the end of an era, or something similar. We can’t be stuck looking at that door that didn’t just close but one that locked us out.
Jim Montgomery shared words of wisdom on Day 1 with the St. Louis Blues
Instead, Montgomery reminded us to look ahead because it’s the only way you’ll find that door that is open in a corridor laden with those that are locked. So, the next time an obstacle lands in your path, regardless of its magnitude, remember to put that positive spin on it, and good fortune might just follow.
I also like what he said about relationship building here or connecting with others, and such connections can last a lifetime. We saw this, starting when Montgomery was in St. Louis as an assistant, coaching under Craig Berube, who, in turn, worked under Doug Armstrong.
There’s no doubt that the connection with Armstrong helped Montgomery land in St. Louis after the Boston Bruins cut ties with him, and it’s similar to what we’ve probably seen happen on a smaller scale in our own lives or from those in our social circles.
Overall, it made for quite a positive take, especially after losing a job in which Montgomery looked as though he’d have for a while with a Presidents’ Trophy and back-to-back playoff appearances. Sure, Montgomery will have a more inexperienced team in transition with the Blues than he did in Boston, but his mindset could improve this team quickly if the Blues can get completely healthy again.
Regardless of what happens on the ice, let Montgomery’s quote sink in, and remember it the next time you’re facing a challenging situation.