Jim Montgomery re-creates his initial reaction to Tyler Bertuzzi trade
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Montgomery re-creates his initial reaction to Bertuzzi trade originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
It’s safe to say Boston Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery was excited to learn that his team acquired left wing Tyler Bertuzzi in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday morning.
When Bruins general manager Don Sweeney broke the news to Montgomery, the veteran coach gave him a fist bump.
“My first reaction was, ‘Boom!’ I stuck my knuckles out to him. I was happy,” Montgomery told reporters at Warrior Ice Arena.
What does Montgomery think of Bertuzzi as a player?
“I think he’s an excellent hockey player,” Montgomery explained. “I think he’s someone that understands how to win. He’s done it at the junior level. He was MVP of the Calder Cup championship team in Grand Rapids.
“He’s a great complementary winger. He goes hard to hard areas. He’s a great net-front guy 5-on-5, power play. He’s got a lot of sandpaper to him as Bruins fans will know from his altercation with our other sandpaper guy, (Brad Marchand).”
Bertuzzi likely will play left wing on the third line in place of the injured Taylor Hall, who was placed on long-term injured reserve (LTIR) Thursday.