Former Dallas Stars coach Jim Montgomery calls his dismissal from the NHL club "appropriate" and says he is entering rehab for alcohol abuse.
Montgomery released a statement Friday to make his first public comments after being fired by the Stars on Dec. 10 over what the team called "unprofessional conduct."
"It was also the appropriate call," Montgomery said. "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 counselling. It has been an overwhelming and a very humbling experience knowing that I am not alone."
The 50-year-old Montgomery, a native of Montreal, was in his second season with the Stars. He had two years left on his contract at US$1.6 million per season.
The Stars were 17-11-3 at the time of Montgomery's firing. They have since gone 6-3-1 under interim coach Rick Bowness and entered Friday's games in third place in the Central Division.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 3, 2020.
The Canadian Press
