The journey begins: Jim Montgomery ready, eager to open first NHL camp

The Stars have a challenge this season, getting their third coach in three years.
That said, it could also be a great opportunity as they start training camp Friday at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho.

GOING CAMPING: [Click here for complete coverage of Stars training camp from Boise, Idaho]
Going from the high-flying style of Lindy Ruff to the more conservative defensive ways of Ken Hitchcock and now to an aggressive, relentless attack under rookie head coach Jim Montgomery will definitely test this team. But the exposure to diverse ideas from veteran coaches could actually put the Stars in a place where they are perfectly positioned to make the most of Montgomery's ideas.
"I'm going in with my eyes open, knowing we have a lot of work to do, but I also know both coaches have instilled great values," Montgomery said. "Lindy was very creative and had the best offensive team in the league, and I know Hitch really taught his way of hockey and helped the players in that regard.
"The balance should be there."
While the Stars have added a few bodies who will be new to lineup, there are key players who have been through the process and should be able to benefit.

"We're going to play a different style of hockey than last year. Hitch taught us how to play defense, and we're going to remember that for sure, but we're going to play a different style of hockey and it's going to be fun," captain Jamie Benn said.
"It seems like with Lindy and Hitch, we hit both ends of the rink, and hopefully, we can find a happy medium with Monty. He's a young coach who is eager to get at it, and he's just as excited as we are."
Montgomery, 49, is in a unique place, coming straight out of college hockey from the University of Denver with no NHL coaching experience. However, he was a standout player at the University of Maine and had a 12-year pro playing career that included 122 NHL games -- nine with the Stars.
He knows how the NHL works and said he has based a lot of his coaching in college on things he has learned from watching the recent NHL.
"At Denver, we were already playing an NHL-style game. Everything we showed our players was NHL stuff," Montgomery said, adding that the coaching staff has been devouring video in order to come up with a game plan for a fast start.
"We've watched lots of film this summer and I'm already stealing stuff from other teams that I didn't do at Denver, so it's a bit of a mix now. So we want to incorporate that early in camp and make sure we get plenty of rep time."

Montgomery's coaching staff will include new assistants Todd Nelson and Rick Bowness, as well as holdovers Stu Barnes and Jeff Reese. Bowness has coached more than 30 years at the NHL level, including 463 games as a head coach. He spent the past five seasons as associate coach in Tampa Bay. Nelson has 10 years of experience as a minor-league head coach and also coached the Edmonton Oilers for one season. He comes to Dallas after three years with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he helped them win the Calder Cup in 2017.
Montgomery said he likes to "steal" ideas from other coaches and said he also wants a free flow of information within the coaching staff. Having so much experience is something he will be happy to use as a rookie.
"I want everyone to feel ownership on this coaching staff. I want them to feel free to voice their opinion, even if it's not in the area that's their designation. If you're in charge of the power play and you see something that could help on the penalty kill, speak up. You might have a great point and see things from a different perspective." Montgomery said.
"I know that if we're only relying on my ideas, we'll become predictable and we simply won't be the best team we can be. I respect other people's ideas and I want to use the best ideas. I want to be the bestteam, and I think you need to look outside of yourself to do that."
That's something that will likely earn respect from the players quickly.
Veteran Jason Spezza struggled last season under Hitchcock and believes the change can be good for him. He said that Montgomery's history as a player and a successful college coach should aid in the transition to the NHL.

"The best way for us to help him way is to listen and be open to change," Spezza said. "If your veteran guys are open to change, then your group will accept it. He's going to have some different ideas and some quirks, and I've learned over the years if your veteran guys aren't on board early, then it can be difficult for a new coach. Talking to the guys I've talked to, we're all enthusiastic and we're excited to get going."
There's a reason the Stars are on their third head coach in three years. They have missed the playoffs for two years straight and they should be hungry. Because of that, the new coaching staff will likely have a very motivated group.
"I don't know if it is going to be difficult, I'm not really sure," center Tyler Seguin said when asked if adapting to three systems in three years will difficult. "It's been a lot learning new coaches and new systems, but with Monty we have someone young and hungry and someone who is learning, too. He might need Jamie's help or my help sometimes, I'm looking forward to sharing that and growing together as players and coaches."
Because with the journey about to begin, there is a real feeling that Stars can make the best of their challenges.
"We're prepared for everything, I think, but you have to get out there and do it," Montgomery said.
"I can't wait to get going."
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.