Marco Sturm first experienced the intense passion of Boston Bruins fans upon being traded to the team in exchange for the first overall draft pick, Joe Thornton, who would later become an NHL MVP.
Speaking at his introductory press conference as head coach on Tuesday, the former Bruins forward recalled this challenging period. “I mean, it wasn`t my fault, right?” Sturm quipped to reporters. “I got here, and it was difficult. I`m not going to lie. You read the paper or social media or even you go on the street, people will let you know.” He added, “But also it pushes you. And I saw it in a positive way.”
Reflecting on his time as a player, Sturm stated, “I`ve got such good memories here.” He understands the fanbase well: “I know the fans, as soon as they feel that there`s something good happening here, they will support you. I know that.” While acknowledging the potential for negative reactions (“It kind of goes the other way, too”), he chose to focus on the future: “But I don`t want to talk about that. I want to look forward.”
Before becoming a coach, Sturm had a notable playing career. A first-round draft pick and three-time Olympian, he played five of his 14 NHL seasons with Boston. Post-playing, he coached the German national team to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. He then spent six years in the Los Angeles Kings organization, serving as the head coach for their AHL affiliate for the final three years.
