In an unexpected decision, the St. Louis Blues dismissed Drew Bannister on Sunday, barely a year after appointing him as head coach, and have chosen former Boston Bruins coach Jim Montgomery as his successor.

This change was announced by Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong as the team struggles with a record of just 9 wins in their first 22 games this season. Bannister took over from Craig Berube, a Stanley Cup-winning coach, during the previous season, and was named the full-time coach at its conclusion.

Montgomery, who previously served as an assistant under Berube, holds an impressive head coaching record of 180 wins, 84 losses, and 33 overtime losses with Boston and Dallas. He was recently let go by the Bruins after they experienced a poor start to the season, losing 12 of their first 20 matches.

Montgomery, who started his NHL career with the Blues in 1993, has signed a five-year contract to lead the team in St. Louis.