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Blues coach Jim Montgomery is convinced that he’ll be coaching against former coaching protegee David Carle at some point in the NHL.

“I would think it’s a matter of time,� Montgomery said. “How soon? That’ll be his choice.�

Carle is in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ this week, leading his Denver Pioneers team into the Frozen Four for the fourth time in his seven years at the head of the program, which he took over when Montgomery jumped to the NHL in 2018. Before that, Carle was an assistant under Montgomery for 4 1/2 seasons at Denver.

Denver (31-11-1) plays Western Michigan (32-7-1) in a semifinal at 4 p.m. Thursday at Enterprise Center.

Carle, 35, is lauded as one of the top coaching prospects in the sport and is trying to win his third national championship in Denver after claiming titles in 2022 and 2024. Carle has also led the U.S. under-20 team to gold medals in each of the past two World Junior Championships.

Last summer, reports connected Carle and the Blues before ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ultimately hired Drew Bannister in a full-time capacity. Bannister was fired in November when Montgomery became available, and the Blues have gone 34-17-6 under Montgomery and are destined for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

“First, great hire by Doug Armstrong to not let him be on the market very long,� Carle said. “Happy for Monty that they’re in the playoff position now and the heater they’ve been on over the last five weeks. Happy for him and his family. His wife is from here, a lot of connections here for him. Big fan.

“We still keep in close contact. I learned a lot from him, from preparation, tactics, trying to connect the group, make sure everybody feels valued, team-first attitude. You know, a lot of different things from him that I think make him so successful wherever he’s been as well.�

Montgomery, 55, was the head coach in Denver for five years, peaking with a national championship in 2017. In each of Montgomery’s first four years with the program, it advanced further each season. In the first year, it made the NCAA tournament. In the second year, it won a game. In the third year, it advanced to the Frozen Four. In the fourth year, it won the title.

Montgomery helped the Pioneers win the NCHC championship in 2018 before leaving to coach the Stars that summer.

“I’m incredibly proud to have been part of that,� Montgomery said. “David and I worked together for five years. I saw how good he was going to be, and that’s why I was so happy when he got the job. Our friendship continues.�

Montgomery was fired in Dallas in December 2019, joined the Blues as an assistant the following season and then took over the Bruins in 2022-23. He was fired in November, then hired five days later by the Blues.

Carle spoke about the personal growth that helps define how long he has had a relationship with Montgomery.

“You know, when Monty hired me, I was single,� Carle said. “He had two kids. He added two kids while we were (coaching) together. You know, he saw me meet my wife. He saw us have three kids now. Our lives have grown, as our relationship has grown as well. There’s a lot of friendship there, just connecting over our families and checking in on each other.

“Obviously he’s been through some different things since he left DU, and I’ve leaned on him multiple times for advice as well. It’s a great friendship. He makes it out to Denver, obviously, to play the Avs. We always try to get together with a few other friends, and he’s a great man, and couldn’t be happier for him to be in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ doing well.â€�

Carle’s Pioneers are led by Jack Devine, whose 57 points are the most in the country this season, and Zeev Buium, who leads all defensemen with 48 points this season. Buium was named of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which will be given out on Friday night at Stifel Theatre.

“His record, what he’s done, it’s simply remarkable,� Montgomery said of Carle. “It’s the best run of any college hockey coach in (seven) years he’s been there, four Frozen Fours and this would be a third national championship in four years. As a backer of the program, I’m very proud of that.�