NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Jim Montgomery of the Boston Bruins won the Jack Adams Award on Monday night as the NHL's coach of the year.
But while celebrating the highest individual honor of his career, he felt it was important to remember the lowest point of his life. «Three-and-a-half years ago, the Dallas Stars terminated my contract because of my struggles with alcohol,» he said during an emotional speech at the NHL Awards. «I had to change my actions and behaviors.
That has led to the success I live daily now. »For those who struggle out there, you can change. You can affect change within yourself.
It doesn't happen alone. You need a team. You need a community. I'm lucky." The Stars fired Montgomery in December 2019 for what general manager Jim Nill called «a material act of unprofessionalism contrary to the values and standards» held by organization.