Before the 1993 national semifinals, University of Maine hockey coach Shawn Walsh delivered a fiery message to his players: “Short, unselfish shifts. Shoot low. Stay positive. Win the 60-minute war. James, it’s your team now.” Then, Walsh left the room, handing the leadership role to his young captain, Jim Montgomery.
That season, Montgomery proved ready. In the national championship game, Maine trailed 4-2 entering the third period. Montgomery scored three goals, leading Maine to a 5-4 win. The moment cemented his reputation as both a leader and a player who thrived under mentorship.
Now the head coach of the St. Louis Blues, Montgomery reflected on the people who molded him. At the top of the list was Walsh, who passed away in 2001. “He was the best orator I’ve ever been around,” Montgomery said. “I still use things I learned from him — his ability to inspire, his organization, his energy.”
His father, Jimmy Montgomery, was another central influence. A former Olympic boxer and standout football player, Jimmy instilled the value of hard work. Montgomery recalled scoring a hat trick as a child, only for his father to scold him for not giving full effort. The lesson stayed with him: talent isn’t enough without work.
Other coaches shaped Montgomery as well. Grant Stanbrook, an assistant at Maine, was “the best one-on-one teacher” he ever met. Former teammate John Stevens also guided him, introducing concepts such as creating a “ghost roster” — outlining the traits of an ideal lineup to better shape team decisions.
Montgomery is also known for seeking wisdom from others. Among those he continues to consult is former Blues coach Ken Hitchcock, now a Hockey Hall of Famer. “He’s a coach of coaches,” Montgomery said. “He’s sharp, current, and his insights — from handling captains to managing special teams — are invaluable.”
As Montgomery begins his first full season leading the Blues, the influences of Walsh, Stanbrook, Stevens, Hitchcock, and his father remain visible in his approach. “You don’t just have one mentor,” Montgomery said. “If you’re open-minded, you learn from many. Some you take things from, and others you learn what not to do. That’s all part of becoming who you are as a coach.”
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