RDS in Canada is reporting that Jim Montgomery will be joining the Dallas stars as their next head coach. Several weeks ago we reported in a LetGoDU article, Chasing Monty, the interest in Montgomery by both the New York Rangers and the Dallas Stars. Interest continued to heat up over the past week as numerous blogs reported a growing interest in Montgomery by both clubs. Apparently, the deal from the Dallas Stars came together over the last 24 hours and will be announced shortly.
Over the past five years, Montgomery guided the Pioneers to a 125–57–26, highlighted by a National Championship the 2016-2017 season.
Jim Montgomery will succeed Ken Hitchcock who announced his retirement once the season for the Stars was completed.
Once the deal is finalized and announced, LetsGoDU will provide further details.
I’m not trying to be harsh on Carle by saying this. There is a good chance that he would could turn out to be an excellent hire. But Montgomery is essentially leaving DU with basically no choice as to who they hire as their head coach. It’s either hire Carle, or lose some recruits, right? If true, this is a shame for a program that should be able to the best and most experienced coach available. So Monty has left us in a bit of a crappy situation on that front. (But I do thank him for the national championship!)
Or perhaps DU can hire the top guy out there, keep Carle on board (and therefore keep Carle’s recruits), and then Carle can get more experienced over the next few years. If I’m one of Carle’s recruits, I want the best coach available, whether it’s Carle or not.
Regardless of the coach or year, this is the timing when coaches leave for the NHL. I personally am grateful for the last 5 years. I think Monty made DU hockey better and that is all we can ask. The DU job has been elevated with Montgomery and there will be plenty of interest. I think Carle should interview along with all the other candidates and let the best coach win – regardless of short-term recruiting.
It was inevitable that he was going to jump. We will almost certainly lose a couple recruits, most likely Emilio Pettersen and Eero Teravainen. If we can hang on to Demin, Budy, O’Reilly, Larsson, and Comrie we should be ok. Also wouldn’t be surprised to see Luke take an NHL deal after a prospect camp, like Trevor Moore did. Next year will be a stretch to make the tournament.
Even if Monty stayed, making the tournament next year would have been a stretch, but doable. We were top heavy offensively and had a top grade senior goalie..
As long as Peg is involved ,which I’m sure she is, we’ll get a good one.
I heard Peg is going to continue to help the athletic department for a while. So I expect they will use her for advice.
I do very much hope that Peg will still be involved in this. Frankly, I think she needs to be, for DU’s sake. I have no confidence that a new guy who has just taken the reigns, barely knows Denver, and has never been involved in such a high-profile hire, would do as well as Peg would.
Our roster (and new recruits) have taken on a Scandinavian flair. From what I hear, thanks to Carle. I do hope that we can keep those 2 new Scandinavians that just signed their letters of intent. Man…wow would all of those guys feel? DU announces their signings, and then within a week the head coach leaves. You have to hope that the recruits signed knowing that there was a good chance that Monty would bolt, and that they signed up for the program, and not just the coach.
bring back GWOZ!
Greg Brown would ensure that commits do not leave. He and Motzko are probably tight and look at their record at WJC. He can flat out coach. I know he was in the final pairings when we hired Monty. Clearly, some folks here liked him
Post confirms
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/02/jim-montgomery-dallas-stars-head-coach/
Knowing about Greg Brown only what I just read about him, I’d say that this is the caliber of candidate that DU should seek. But Brown has been at BC for a long time. You know that BC would do whatever it can to make sure that Brown sticks around to succeed to York. Perhaps the window that might have been there 5 years ago is now closed, as York is of course much closer to retirement now. The bright side, is that DU can offer some very good incentives. But I could see Brown showing some interest in DU, and using that as leverage to get whatever he wants from BC.
no way in heck the new AD has the guts to hire anyone besides carle. the carle family would stop giving $, the program would lose recruits galore and montgomery would leave on bad terms bc the guy he groomed didnt get job – might as well not even interview any other candidates really, just name carle coach tomorrow.
I’m sorry to say, but I don’t care much about the feelings of the guy that is leaving the program. He created this situation by leaving. DU does not owe anything to him, nor should Monty expect anything. DU needs to do what is right for DU. If that’s not Carle, then it’s not Carle. And by the way, DU has been TREMENDOUS to David Carle over the years. Postponing his rise into the head coaching ranks should do nothing to affect the Carles’ (or anyone’s) feelings about DU. This is a top 5 hockey program, not a charity. DU needs to hire the right hockey coach, and not worry about unrealistic expectations that anybody else might have..
having Monty continue to say good things about DU when he’s in the NHL is important for the program, no?
Yes, it would be nice if Monty kept good relations with DU. But that is not the priority. And I like to think that Montgomery realizes that DU should hire who they want to hire. Particularly considering that DU has been quite patient with Monty the last two years as Monty, while achieving great success, has kept the program in coaching limbo with his continued talks with NHL teams.
If DU locks down Carle, MacMillan & Howe in a package deal, then that’s one Hell of a coaching staff. Young, energetic & you know those guys can recruit.
Ronnie Grahame is the Kingmaker on this deal and you have to think that Carle is his choice.
Monty will be introduced as Dallas coach on Friday. Hopefully Carle will be named DU coach by the end of next week.
DU thought outside the box with Montgomery and should do the same this time around – at least hire someone with SOME head coaching experience, jeez!
Yeah, seems like a reasonable expectation, right?
it’s honestly bizarre that so many people wanna just hand it over to an assistant – this isn’t st lawrence or mercyhurst or robert morris – it’s DENVER, creech should go after the most experienced coach he can find imo
He gone.
Thank you for the breaking news, Scoop, only 18 comments in!
Congratulations to Jim Montgomery. It’s been a hell of a run here at DU. I hope he has a lot of success in the NHL.
Thanks to Monty for an excellent run. I wonder if DU will reach out to Dineen? Pretty impressive resume.
I’m not trying to be harsh on Carle by saying this. There is a good chance that he would could turn out to be an excellent hire. But Montgomery is essentially leaving DU with basically no choice as to who they hire as their head coach. It’s either hire Carle, or lose some recruits, right? If true, this is a shame for a program that should be able to the best and most experienced coach available. So Monty has left us in a bit of a crappy situation on that front. (But I do thank him for the national championship!)
Or perhaps DU can hire the top guy out there, keep Carle on board (and therefore keep Carle’s recruits), and then Carle can get more experienced over the next few years. If I’m one of Carle’s recruits, I want the best coach available, whether it’s Carle or not.
Regardless of the coach or year, this is the timing when coaches leave for the NHL. I personally am grateful for the last 5 years. I think Monty made DU hockey better and that is all we can ask. The DU job has been elevated with Montgomery and there will be plenty of interest. I think Carle should interview along with all the other candidates and let the best coach win – regardless of short-term recruiting.
It was inevitable that he was going to jump. We will almost certainly lose a couple recruits, most likely Emilio Pettersen and Eero Teravainen. If we can hang on to Demin, Budy, O’Reilly, Larsson, and Comrie we should be ok. Also wouldn’t be surprised to see Luke take an NHL deal after a prospect camp, like Trevor Moore did. Next year will be a stretch to make the tournament.
Even if Monty stayed, making the tournament next year would have been a stretch, but doable. We were top heavy offensively and had a top grade senior goalie..
As long as Peg is involved ,which I’m sure she is, we’ll get a good one.
I heard Peg is going to continue to help the athletic department for a while. So I expect they will use her for advice.
I do very much hope that Peg will still be involved in this. Frankly, I think she needs to be, for DU’s sake. I have no confidence that a new guy who has just taken the reigns, barely knows Denver, and has never been involved in such a high-profile hire, would do as well as Peg would.
Our roster (and new recruits) have taken on a Scandinavian flair. From what I hear, thanks to Carle. I do hope that we can keep those 2 new Scandinavians that just signed their letters of intent. Man…wow would all of those guys feel? DU announces their signings, and then within a week the head coach leaves. You have to hope that the recruits signed knowing that there was a good chance that Monty would bolt, and that they signed up for the program, and not just the coach.
bring back GWOZ!
Serious Pio fans knew this day was coming. Monty is too good a coach for the college level of hockey, and to see the NHL interest in his abilities is a huge boost to to DU and all that he has built here over five seasons of excellent hockey. Congrats to Peg and Ronnie for hiring him, and we as Pio fans are eternally grateful for all that was achieved here under the Monty era… This was a program that got better and better until a 2017 NCAA title occurred, and we will remember that forever.
Now comes the future, and it is unclear. Since Monty’s dalliance last year with Florida of the NHL, I am sure that the braintrust at DU has a plan going forward for selecting a new coach.
With Karlton Creech now at the helm in his first week on the job, I am sure that Ron and Peg have prepared him for Monty’s ascent to the NHL, noting the role that David Carle, Tavis MacMillan and Joe Howe have established in Denver under Monty – the fast, puck pursuit style of skill, speed and fitnesse that elevated DU to the top echelon’s of hockey, after a slight decline in Gwozdecky’s final years.
So here we are — certainly, the easy thing to do is pick Carle or McMillan and be done with it – they understand DU, the recruits and can continue what Monty built, right? And if DU picks one of them, it’s fine because its the hockey we know… Or is it?
My own personal opinion is that the current assistant coaches are all wonderful, but DU is such an attractive job that many amazing coaches might apply if the job was opened. I would think that NHL experience is a top driver to pitch the best recruits, and there are a number of gifted coaches who might want the security, financial package and prestige (and let’s face it – much less pressure than some Big 10 or NHL jobs).
Three guys I would like to see interviewed in the coaching mix:
Kevin Dineen (DU ’81-’83) – currently assistant with NHL Chicago and had a 20+ year NHL playing career, including head coach of Florida (NHL) and a Gold Medal with Team Canada Women in 2014.
Rich Preston – (DU mid 70s) Fromer NHL player with Chicago, now current NHL assistant with Anaheim Ducks.
Derek Mayer – Former DU and NHL defenseman now assistant with EHC Red Bulls in Austria
And those are just three guys with both NHL and DU ties. There are many more with NHL ties that also might be great candidates…
No matter what DU decides to do, it won’t be because we don’t have some great candidates…
It would be cool to finally have an alum as the HC…
How about Steve Miller? Would he be given serious consideration if he applied?
Why can’t people understand how LOI’s work? Once signed, they are legally binding and only the AD can release a recruit…sure some players could jump to MJ, but that is a choice mostly made before a kid is 18.
Thank you, Mr. Genius. So you must be saying that there is zero chance that we lose any recruits. I’ll hold you to that.
DU may lose future recruits, who haven’t signed. So be it…
Cole Guttman hasn’t signed and has already shown that he is willing to back out on his word.
Cole Guttman is signed. Also, the AD will sign off on any requests to back out of a LOI when there is a coaching change. Whoever actually follows DU hockey understands that Monty was as gone as Borgstrom or Terry. And with that you will lose a couple recruits, whether it’s this year or down the road. My feeling is that Teravainen goes a different route, Emilio Pettersen goes to Sweden or the major junior route because he was quoted as saying he will do whatever the team that drafts him feels is the best path for his development towards the NHL. I think a couple others will move in different directions as well. Lets just not be surprised when people de-commit.
Swami–good analysis,but I do not think that Monty was “too good of a coach” in that last game against Ohio State. I quibble, and am mostly kidding. He did great things here at DU, and I wish him well. Any coach that gets to raise a banner at DU gets much appreciation from me.
What are your thoughts on Greg Brown–any chance that DU could lure him from BC, and them keep him here once York retires? Derek Mayer–a blast from the past. I remember seeing him on TV in the Olympics in 94 and I thought it was cool that they mentioned DU. Why did you include him on the list–do you think the German coaching experience would translate well to college?
I like the option of interviewing coaches from professional leagues who played at DU and who have NHL experience as well — I think NHL experience is something top recruits value highly.
I also like assistant college coaches with NHL experience, such as Greg Brown at BC.
I think DU will find the right guy.
Finally, if some verbal recruit leaves DU because they are unsure of the coaching situation – screw that recruit. Real Pioneers should want to come here no matter who the coach is….
Greg Brown would ensure that commits do not leave. He and Motzko are probably tight and look at their record at WJC. He can flat out coach. I know he was in the final pairings when we hired Monty. Clearly, some folks here liked him
Post confirms
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/05/02/jim-montgomery-dallas-stars-head-coach/
Knowing about Greg Brown only what I just read about him, I’d say that this is the caliber of candidate that DU should seek. But Brown has been at BC for a long time. You know that BC would do whatever it can to make sure that Brown sticks around to succeed to York. Perhaps the window that might have been there 5 years ago is now closed, as York is of course much closer to retirement now. The bright side, is that DU can offer some very good incentives. But I could see Brown showing some interest in DU, and using that as leverage to get whatever he wants from BC.
no way in heck the new AD has the guts to hire anyone besides carle. the carle family would stop giving $, the program would lose recruits galore and montgomery would leave on bad terms bc the guy he groomed didnt get job – might as well not even interview any other candidates really, just name carle coach tomorrow.
I’m sorry to say, but I don’t care much about the feelings of the guy that is leaving the program. He created this situation by leaving. DU does not owe anything to him, nor should Monty expect anything. DU needs to do what is right for DU. If that’s not Carle, then it’s not Carle. And by the way, DU has been TREMENDOUS to David Carle over the years. Postponing his rise into the head coaching ranks should do nothing to affect the Carles’ (or anyone’s) feelings about DU. This is a top 5 hockey program, not a charity. DU needs to hire the right hockey coach, and not worry about unrealistic expectations that anybody else might have..
having Monty continue to say good things about DU when he’s in the NHL is important for the program, no?
Yes, it would be nice if Monty kept good relations with DU. But that is not the priority. And I like to think that Montgomery realizes that DU should hire who they want to hire. Particularly considering that DU has been quite patient with Monty the last two years as Monty, while achieving great success, has kept the program in coaching limbo with his continued talks with NHL teams.
LOVE THE ANALYSIS BY ALL.
Remember, the recruiting world is small. The kids will wait to see who is named coach and then make their decision. We want kids who want to be here.
As for the candidates, the former NHL coaching types are probably NOT a good fit. Pro Hockey vs college is very different than the NFL.
The best college coaches, recruit and develop players. On that measure, Greg Brown is way higher then the rest. Look at the NHL. Every game has a BC guy playing. Earlier this year, Pierre McGuire referred to Ranger vs Devils as the BC Alumni skate – 9 Eagles played in that game. Kevin Dineen might be good, but who has he developed? He was a medium NHL coach
Im sure BC will try to keep Mr. Brown, but Coach York recently signed an extension.
Will Butcher and Troy Terry played for him at WJC and their opinion should matter.
We will see.
If DU locks down Carle, MacMillan & Howe in a package deal, then that’s one Hell of a coaching staff. Young, energetic & you know those guys can recruit.
Ronnie Grahame is the Kingmaker on this deal and you have to think that Carle is his choice.
Monty will be introduced as Dallas coach on Friday. Hopefully Carle will be named DU coach by the end of next week.
DU thought outside the box with Montgomery and should do the same this time around – at least hire someone with SOME head coaching experience, jeez!
Yeah, seems like a reasonable expectation, right?
it’s honestly bizarre that so many people wanna just hand it over to an assistant – this isn’t st lawrence or mercyhurst or robert morris – it’s DENVER, creech should go after the most experienced coach he can find imo
big first hire for creech. going with carle/mcmillen seems like the easy/lazy route and i for one don’t want our new AD to be lazy. hopefully due dilligence is done and he brings in someone like brown.
He gone.
Thank you for the breaking news, Scoop, only 18 comments in!
Congratulations to Jim Montgomery. It’s been a hell of a run here at DU. I hope he has a lot of success in the NHL.
Thanks to Monty for an excellent run. I wonder if DU will reach out to Dineen? Pretty impressive resume.
Creech appears to be a smart guy. He knows what he doesn’t know as compared to what Peg and Ron do regarding looking for and getting the best hockey candidate. I think he will mostly let them do the heavy lifting( as he should) and go along with their choice. If he doesn’t then I take back that he is a smart guy.
Carle is too young both in age and head coach experience.
Brown is the no. 1 candidate.
Serious Pio fans knew this day was coming. Monty is too good a coach for the college level of hockey, and to see the NHL interest in his abilities is a huge boost to to DU and all that he has built here over five seasons of excellent hockey. Congrats to Peg and Ronnie for hiring him, and we as Pio fans are eternally grateful for all that was achieved here under the Monty era… This was a program that got better and better until a 2017 NCAA title occurred, and we will remember that forever.
Now comes the future, and it is unclear. Since Monty’s dalliance last year with Florida of the NHL, I am sure that the braintrust at DU has a plan going forward for selecting a new coach.
With Karlton Creech now at the helm in his first week on the job, I am sure that Ron and Peg have prepared him for Monty’s ascent to the NHL, noting the role that David Carle, Tavis MacMillan and Joe Howe have established in Denver under Monty – the fast, puck pursuit style of skill, speed and fitnesse that elevated DU to the top echelon’s of hockey, after a slight decline in Gwozdecky’s final years.
So here we are — certainly, the easy thing to do is pick Carle or McMillan and be done with it – they understand DU, the recruits and can continue what Monty built, right? And if DU picks one of them, it’s fine because its the hockey we know… Or is it?
My own personal opinion is that the current assistant coaches are all wonderful, but DU is such an attractive job that many amazing coaches might apply if the job was opened. I would think that NHL experience is a top driver to pitch the best recruits, and there are a number of gifted coaches who might want the security, financial package and prestige (and let’s face it – much less pressure than some Big 10 or NHL jobs).
Three guys I would like to see interviewed in the coaching mix:
Kevin Dineen (DU ’81-’83) – currently assistant with NHL Chicago and had a 20+ year NHL playing career, including head coach of Florida (NHL) and a Gold Medal with Team Canada Women in 2014.
Rich Preston – (DU mid 70s) Fromer NHL player with Chicago, now current NHL assistant with Anaheim Ducks.
Derek Mayer – Former DU and NHL defenseman now assistant with EHC Red Bulls in Austria
And those are just three guys with both NHL and DU ties. There are many more with NHL ties that also might be great candidates…
No matter what DU decides to do, it won’t be because we don’t have some great candidates…
It would be cool to finally have an alum as the HC…
How about Steve Miller? Would he be given serious consideration if he applied?
Why can’t people understand how LOI’s work? Once signed, they are legally binding and only the AD can release a recruit…sure some players could jump to MJ, but that is a choice mostly made before a kid is 18.
Thank you, Mr. Genius. So you must be saying that there is zero chance that we lose any recruits. I’ll hold you to that.
DU may lose future recruits, who haven’t signed. So be it…
Cole Guttman hasn’t signed and has already shown that he is willing to back out on his word.
Cole Guttman is signed. Also, the AD will sign off on any requests to back out of a LOI when there is a coaching change. Whoever actually follows DU hockey understands that Monty was as gone as Borgstrom or Terry. And with that you will lose a couple recruits, whether it’s this year or down the road. My feeling is that Teravainen goes a different route, Emilio Pettersen goes to Sweden or the major junior route because he was quoted as saying he will do whatever the team that drafts him feels is the best path for his development towards the NHL. I think a couple others will move in different directions as well. Lets just not be surprised when people de-commit.
Swami–good analysis,but I do not think that Monty was “too good of a coach” in that last game against Ohio State. I quibble, and am mostly kidding. He did great things here at DU, and I wish him well. Any coach that gets to raise a banner at DU gets much appreciation from me.
What are your thoughts on Greg Brown–any chance that DU could lure him from BC, and them keep him here once York retires? Derek Mayer–a blast from the past. I remember seeing him on TV in the Olympics in 94 and I thought it was cool that they mentioned DU. Why did you include him on the list–do you think the German coaching experience would translate well to college?
I like the option of interviewing coaches from professional leagues who played at DU and who have NHL experience as well — I think NHL experience is something top recruits value highly.
I also like assistant college coaches with NHL experience, such as Greg Brown at BC.
I think DU will find the right guy.
Finally, if some verbal recruit leaves DU because they are unsure of the coaching situation – screw that recruit. Real Pioneers should want to come here no matter who the coach is….
DU men’s soccer coach Jamie Franks is four years older than David Carle. He’s been coaching at DU for three years. Franks was named NCAA National Coach of the Year in 2016.
DU relies heavily on recruiting Canadians & lately Euros to win championships. To me this is an easy decision.
sorry but soccer and hockey are NOT EVEN CLOSE in terms of level. coaches/student-athletes go straight from DU to the best hockey league in the world. do you really think Franks will go straight from the Pioneers to Manchester United? Maybe MLS but that’s not even a Top 10 league globally. Plus how much revenue does soccer bring to DU vs hockey? really bad comparison – keep drinking the koolaid though
LOVE THE ANALYSIS BY ALL.
Remember, the recruiting world is small. The kids will wait to see who is named coach and then make their decision. We want kids who want to be here.
As for the candidates, the former NHL coaching types are probably NOT a good fit. Pro Hockey vs college is very different than the NFL.
The best college coaches, recruit and develop players. On that measure, Greg Brown is way higher then the rest. Look at the NHL. Every game has a BC guy playing. Earlier this year, Pierre McGuire referred to Ranger vs Devils as the BC Alumni skate – 9 Eagles played in that game. Kevin Dineen might be good, but who has he developed? He was a medium NHL coach
Im sure BC will try to keep Mr. Brown, but Coach York recently signed an extension.
Will Butcher and Troy Terry played for him at WJC and their opinion should matter.
We will see.
big first hire for creech. going with carle/mcmillen seems like the easy/lazy route and i for one don’t want our new AD to be lazy. hopefully due dilligence is done and he brings in someone like brown.
Creech appears to be a smart guy. He knows what he doesn’t know as compared to what Peg and Ron do regarding looking for and getting the best hockey candidate. I think he will mostly let them do the heavy lifting( as he should) and go along with their choice. If he doesn’t then I take back that he is a smart guy.
Carle is too young both in age and head coach experience.
Brown is the no. 1 candidate.
DU men’s soccer coach Jamie Franks is four years older than David Carle. He’s been coaching at DU for three years. Franks was named NCAA National Coach of the Year in 2016.
DU relies heavily on recruiting Canadians & lately Euros to win championships. To me this is an easy decision.
sorry but soccer and hockey are NOT EVEN CLOSE in terms of level. coaches/student-athletes go straight from DU to the best hockey league in the world. do you really think Franks will go straight from the Pioneers to Manchester United? Maybe MLS but that’s not even a Top 10 league globally. Plus how much revenue does soccer bring to DU vs hockey? really bad comparison – keep drinking the koolaid though
Take this or leave this, but was told by those close to Kevin Dineen in Boston that if asked to interview with DU, he will likely entertain the offer
have to think chicago fires their coaches if they have another bad season (or bad start) in 2018-19 so that’d make sense…
Bring back Killer Miller!
Dear Ron & Kreech,
Killer Head Coach
Gwoz Assistant Coach
Mannino or Grant Arnold Assistant Coach
You’re welcome Pio faithful.
-LGDU #1 Troll
Gwoz as an assistant? In NCAA? LOL…you must not have a proper understanding of that man’s ego…
Monty led us to a national title, can’t complain with that. Wish him best of luck. Pios need a solid hire, will be interesting to see how Kreech handles the situation.
Take this or leave this, but was told by those close to Kevin Dineen in Boston that if asked to interview with DU, he will likely entertain the offer
have to think chicago fires their coaches if they have another bad season (or bad start) in 2018-19 so that’d make sense…