DALLAS (105.3 The Fan/AP) - Former Dallas Stars coach Jim Montgomery is checking into a rehab facility for alcohol abuse, according to Mathew DeFranks of the Dallas Morning News.
Montgomery released the following statement:
"Losing my job as head coach of the Dallas Stars last month was a wake-up call. It was also the appropriate call. I let the team's front office, staff and players down. More importantly, I let my wife and my family down. The team's decision to end my role forced me to look into the mirror and decide whether I wanted to continue living a damaging lifestyle or get help. I decided to get help. I turned to professionals in the field of alcohol abuse for their guidance and counseling. It has been an overwhelming and a very humbling experience knowing that I am not alone.
"Today, with the unconditional support of my wife and family, and many close friends, I took another step forward by admitting myself into an inpatient residential program, where I intend to take the steps to be a better husband, father, friend, coach and mentor – one day at a time. It's a process I am committed to. As I do this, I ask that my family's privacy be respected. Thanks, Monty."
When reached for comment by the Morning News, Stars general manager Jim Nill released the following statement:
"We are supportive of this decision by Jim and we hope that by pursuing this help, he and his family will be stronger for it. Out of respect for him and his family, we will not be commenting on this situation further."
The Dallas Stars fired Montgomery midway through his second season for what the team called unprofessional conduct.
At the time, Nill said Montgomery had acted inconsistently with "core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League." He did not elaborate.
Nill said he became aware of an act by Montgomery and the decision to fire him came after an internal investigation that included discussions with the team's general counsel. Nill said only that it was not because of a criminal act, had no connection to players, past or present, and didn't involve another employee of the team.
Nill, who hired Montgomery, called the incident a "total surprise."
"A very tough decision," Nill said. "I have got a lot of respect for Jim Montgomery. He's a very good coach. And unfortunately, you know, sometimes in life, the hardest decisions are the toughest. And this is one of them."
Montgomery did not immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
Rick Bowness, who came on an assistant coach with Montgomery, was named interim head coach for the remainder of the season.
Montgomery was 60-43-10 as the Stars coach after being hired in the summer of 2018 from the University of Denver for his first head coaching job in the NHL. Dallas made the playoffs last season before losing in double-overtime in Game 7 of its second-round series against the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues.
