The Florida Panthers are still looking for their next head coach, and according to a report, one of the favourites to land the position has removed his name from contention.
According to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, Jim Montgomery has withdrawn himself from consideration to return to the University of Denver for a fifth season.
“My family and I are very happy here,” Montgomery texted Chambers.
According to the report, Montgomery had interviewed twice with the Panthers, the last meeting happening on May 30. Montgomery also reportedly met once with the Los Angeles Kings about their coaching vacancy before they promoted John Stevens from assistant to the head job.
Panthers GM Dale Tallon spoke to Sportsnet at the NHL Draft Lottery about the kind of coach he’s looking to acquire:
“We’re looking for a guy that’s a good communicator, is a good teacher, a modern guy, a contemporary-type guy that can deal with these millenials and Generation Z, whatever that means. That’s what we’re looking for, somebody that has a little experience, but who also is very knowledgeable about how to deal with young players because we have a young core.”
Former Montreal coach Michel Therrien has also been linked to the Panthers job.
The 47-year-old Montgomery led the Denver Pioneers to a national championship this season, the school’s eighth title. The team held a record of 33-7-4, the best record in the NCAA.
Prior to joining Denver, Montgomery was the head coach for the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL for three years, winning two championships in that league.
Montgomery played in 122 NHL games, scoring nine goals and 34 points.
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