A random musing from a lurker after the Montgomery hire...
[warning: prime offseason content forthcoming]
An interesting coaching tree (kinda/sorta, maybe only to me?) developing with roots across
RPI,
U Maine, and the
Dubuque Fighting Saints
Montgomery:
Played: U Maine ('89-'93) and was Captain
Assistant Coach: RPI ('06-'10)
- Was brought-in by Seth Appert, in his first head coaching role, having left an asst. coaching gig @ Denver under Gwozdecky
Head Coach: Dubuque Fighting Saints ('10-'13)
Head Coach: U Denver ('13-'18)
- Succeeded Gwozdecky
Ben Barr:
Played: RPI ('00-'04) and was Captain
Assistant Coach: RPI '04-'05 and '07-'08 seasons
- Coached alongside Jim Montgomery in '07-'08 under Seth Appert
Assistant Coach: Union College ('08-'12), Providence College ('12-'14), W. Mich U ('14-'16), and UMass ('16-'21)
- Was hired by Nate Leaman at Union and followed Leaman to Providence
Head Coach: U Maine ('21-)
Kirk MacDonald:
Played: RPI ('02-'07) and was Captain
- Played under Jim Montgomery (asst. coach) during '06-'07 season
- Played alongside Benn Barr for '02-'03 and '03-'04 seasons
Played: Reading Royals (ECHL) / Providence Bruins (AHL) '08-'13
- Was a mainstay in the Providence lineup between '09-'12, earning an "A" in '11-'12
Assistant Coach: RPI ('13-'14)
- Under Seth Appert
Assistant Coach: Reading Royals ('14-'17)
Head Coach: Reading Royals ('17-'22)
Head Coach: Dubuque Fighting Saints ('22-)
Here is a cool article describing the intersection of Barr's coaching journey with that of Montgomery during the (unexpectedly tragic) search for the U Maine job:
Ken Ralph was the RPI Athletic Director from '02 through '07, Colorado College '07-'18, and now U Maine since '18
Here is an article describing MacDonald's coaching being influenced by Montgomery as well as by Bruce Cassidy:
Again, just kind of a neat intersection of lives and jobs - especially from my perspective as an RPI Alum and Bruins fan. I know at least
@ODAAT will appreciate this post
If anyone happens to have additional color commentary or behind the scenes anecdotes, I'd be interested. I'm sure Kirk L or Divver are well entrenched in the player --> coach development circles with New England ties. This forum is about the closest I'll get to hearing those types of conversations.