Jim Montgomery was selected for the NHL All-Star Game for the second consecutive year, but this season may mean a bit more to the Boston Bruins coach.

The NHL announced Sunday that Montgomery will represent the Atlantic Division during Feb. 3’s All-Star game at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.

“It means we have a lot of good hockey players and we’re very blessed,” Montgomery told reporters Saturday. “And I’m grateful that I get to coach the Bruins because coaches go to All-Star games because they have good players.”

While the honor remains the same, Montgomery’s journey to All-Star selection this time around had a different look than the 2022-23 season.

Last year’s 65-win, 135 point season deserved obvious recognition – Montgomery took home the Jack Adams Award at the NHL Awards in June, afterall. That success, though, was also spearheaded by players like Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno.

Coming into the 2023-24 campaign without that veteran group’s leadership and talent prompted questions about what the Bruins would be capable of in this “new era.” Led by Montgomery, the team has fared far better than expected.

Boston sits at first place in the Atlantic Division with 59 points and a 25-8-9 record. There have been stretches of slumps, but it’s how Montgomery and the Bruins have responded to a heightened level of adversity that earned the coach All-Star slotting once again.

the standard of excellence within the B’s organization didn’t change because the personnel did. Montgomery expects the very best out of his players – whether it’s rookie centers Johnny Beecher and Matt Poitras or seasoned defensemen like Kevin Shattenkirk and Matt Grzelcyk.

Montgomery’s communication skills have been a noted strength in his coaching style, and it has shown through the first half of the season. No matter their stature, players have committed to whatever role will help the Bruins win hockey games

A lineup that once needed little tweaking has seen a lot of adjustments this season as Montgomery continues to experiment with his team’s combinations and chemistry. It’s offered a lot of opportunity, too.

New acquisitions Morgan Geekie and Danton Heinen have skated in the top and bottom six throughout the year and lent versatility to the B’s forward group. Charlie Coyle has come into form as a sturdy 2C and Trent Frederic has been playing his best, and most confident, hockey as of late.

The 2023-24 Bruins team has Montgomery’s real mark on it.

Brad Marchand, David Pastrnak and Charlie McAvoy have been more-than-effective letter-wearers, but it’s Montgomery’s message, vision and accountability that has kept Boston at the top of the league standings in what was supposed to be a transition year. It seems that’s what All-Stars are made of.