Jan 20, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery strategizes against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
Jan 20, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery strategizes against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Images
After missing the 2025-26 National Hockey League playoffs, St. Louis Blues’ head coach Jim Montgomery was on the hunt for a front office change. His search ended with the hiring of three new Assistant Coaches, Greg Cronin, Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal, and Jeremy Coupal.
The 2026 regular season saw the Blues finish with a record of 37-33-12. This just wasn't good enough for Montgomery, who signed both Cronin and Prospal to multi-year deals for the 2026-27 NHL season. The Blues' official press release on June 15 via the NHL website had Montgomery elaborate on the new coaches.
“Greg, Vinny and Jeremy represent elite coaching talent coming to the St. Louis Blues,” said Montgomery.
Apr 16, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery looks on during the first period of a game against the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Apr 16, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery looks on during the first period of a game against the Utah Mammoth at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Cronin is no stranger to NHL fans, as he was the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks from 2023 to 2025, before coaching the Iowa Wild in 2026. He was let go on April 19, 2025, after a disappointing couple of seasons. But Montgomery has faith in the Massachusetts native.
The HC described him as “a skilled teacher of defensive habits, and the penalty kill with experience as a head coach” in the NHL press release.
Unlike Cronin, Prospal brings 16 seasons of NHL playing experience. The past three seasons saw him coach the AHL’s Rochester Americans to a respectable 112-76-28 regular-season record. Montgomery had a few brief words to say about him.
“Vinny brings a creative offensive mind honed by his success as a player on the power play and five-on-five, providing valuable expertise to our forward group and power play, “ the coach noted.
Jeremy Coupal was also signed to a multi-year deal as the Assistant Coach - Video, and the HC describes him as having a "unique skillset and knowledge."
Montgomery's recharged staff now includes Cronin, Prospal, Coupal, plus returning goaltending coach Alexander and Ryan Stacy as video coordinator.
St. Louis Blues’ 2025-26 Season Prompted Coaching Changes
Jim Montgomery has served as the 28th Head Coach of the St. Louis Blues since taking over from interim head coach Drew Bannister in November 2024.
The Blues have only won one Stanley Cup in their history. The win came in the 2018-19 season, under the leadership of the then HC Craig Berube. The Blues lifted the trophy after the longest wait in NHL history - 51 seasons.
Montgomery is willing to wait that long.
The Blues ended their season with 86 points, missing the 2026 playoffs by just four points. They finished fifth in the Central Division. The Blues won 37 games in the season, four games under the league average of 41 wins.
When they finished their season on April 16, they were 22nd in the league for points scored, with 86, below playoff standards. In comparison, the Colorado Avalanche had scored 121. They ranked 25th in Goals For, with 231, while the Avalanche led the standings again with 302.
Montgomery is hoping for a much better regular season in the 2026-27 season. His recharged coaching staff will attempt to lead the Blues to the Stanley Cup finals this year.
Do you think the St. Louis Blues can clinch their second-ever Stanley Cup in 2027? Let us know in the comments.
