BOSTON — The Boston Bruins announced Thursday the hiring of Marco Sturm as their new head coach. The franchise hopes Sturm, a 46-year-old German, can lead them back to the playoffs after missing them for the first time since 2016.
Sturm steps in to replace interim coach Joe Sacco. Sacco had taken over from Jim Montgomery in November and posted a 25-30-7 record, with a significant portion of that occurring after the team made major roster changes at the trade deadline. Sturm, a former Bruins player himself (2005-10), previously spent three seasons as the head coach of the AHL`s Ontario Reign, guiding them to three playoff appearances. He also famously coached the German national team to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. This connection as a former player aligns him with Bruins president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney, who also played for the franchise.
Sturm expressed his connection to the team and city. “Boston has always held a special place in my heart, and I know how much this team means to the city and to our fans,” said Sturm, a former Bruins left wing (2005-10). He added, “I’ve felt that passion as a player, and I can’t wait to be behind the bench and feel it again. I’m excited to get to work and do everything I can to help this team succeed.”
During his 14-season NHL career, primarily with the San Jose Sharks and Bruins, Sturm was a three-time Olympian and a first-round draft pick. He accumulated 242 goals and 245 assists over 938 games, placing him second all-time in NHL scoring among players born in Germany. His coaching experience includes a stint as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings before leading their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.
General Manager Don Sweeney highlighted Sturm`s diverse background as key to the hiring. “His path — playing for multiple NHL teams, coaching internationally, and leading at both the AHL and NHL levels — has shaped a well-rounded coach who’s earned this opportunity,” Sweeney remarked. He added that as a former Bruin, Sturm “understands what this team means to the city and our fans.” Sweeney expressed confidence in Sturm`s ability to lead the team in a “new direction,” believing his “energy, standards, and commitment to a competitive, hard-nosed brand of hockey reflect exactly what Bruins hockey should be.”
Joe Sacco, who served as interim coach, previously worked as a Bruins assistant and was a former head coach for the Colorado Avalanche. He stepped into the role 20 games into the season. However, as the team`s playoff hopes faded, GM Sweeney made significant moves at the trade deadline, including trading away long-time captain Brad Marchand and other veteran players. The Bruins ultimately concluded the season with a 33-39-10 record, tying for the worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
Only three teams across the entire league finished with worse records. Following the season, CEO Charlie Jacobs publicly stated the results were “absolutely unacceptable” and issued an apology to the fanbase for the team`s performance.
“We owe you a better team, and we aim to deliver a better team,” he said after the season. “I share your disappointment and, frankly, embarrassment on how poorly things played out over the course of this season.”
While Sacco was considered for the permanent head coaching role, other candidates reportedly included Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love, former Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson, and Bruins assistant Jay Leach.
Jim Montgomery, 55, the coach Sacco replaced, had a successful tenure in Boston, posting a 120-41-23 record over two-plus seasons. In his first two years, the Bruins exceeded 100 points, highlighted by a record-breaking debut season with 65 wins and 135 points, both NHL historical bests.
Despite the strong regular season performances under Montgomery, the Bruins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs after their record-setting year and reached only the second round the following season. The team`s difficulties persisted into the current season with an 8-9-3 start, which led to Montgomery`s dismissal. Just five days later, he was hired by the St. Louis Blues on a five-year contract. The Blues reached the playoffs this year, losing in the first round in seven games.
The team`s performance did not see improvement during Sacco`s interim coaching period.
Approaching the trade deadline on a three-game losing streak, which brought their record to 28-28, the Bruins initiated a sell-off. They traded away captain Brad Marchand, the last remaining member of the 2011 Stanley Cup championship team, along with forwards Justin Brazeau, Marc McLaughlin, Trent Frederic, and Charlie Coyle, and defenceman Brandon Carlo.
Joe Sacco remained behind the bench to see the season through.
The team, with its depleted roster, subsequently endured a 10-game losing streak – a stark contrast to the mere 12 losses suffered during the entire record-setting 2022-23 season under Montgomery. This downturn effectively moved them from potential playoff contenders to participants in the NHL draft lottery.
Despite the significant disappointment of the season, General Manager Don Sweeney was given a two-year contract extension. President Cam Neely stated that maintaining stability in the front office during the coaching search was important.
Neely, himself a former Bruins forward, expressed confidence in Sweeney`s recent actions and excitement for the team`s future direction. “I am confident in the plan he has followed these past few months — and excited for what’s to come for our team,” Neely remarked. He concluded by emphasizing the perennial goal: “The expectations in Boston have always been clear. It’s about winning championships.”
