BOSTON — The Boston Bruins have officially appointed Marco Sturm as their new head coach. The former Bruins player is tasked with the significant challenge of returning the Original Six franchise to the NHL playoffs, a goal missed for the first time since 2016.
Sturm, a 46-year-old German national, steps in to replace interim coach Joe Sacco. Sacco had taken over from Jim Montgomery in November and guided the team to a 25-30-7 record during his tenure, a period largely impacted by a roster overhaul at the trade deadline. Sturm brings recent coaching experience from three seasons as the head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign, where he achieved a 119-80-11-6 record, and notably led the German national team to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. His history with the Bruins as a player aligns him with team president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney, both fellow former Bruins.
“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,” commented Sturm, who played left wing for the Bruins from 2005 to 2010. “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.”
A three-time Olympian and a first-round NHL draft pick, Sturm enjoyed a 14-season playing career primarily with the San Jose Sharks and the Bruins. He accumulated 242 goals and 245 assists for 487 points in 938 career games, ranking him second all-time in NHL scoring among German-born players.
General Manager Don Sweeney expressed confidence in the hire, stating, “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. As a former Bruin, he understands what this team means to the city and our fans. We’re embracing a new direction with Marco behind the bench and are confident his energy, standards, and commitment to a competitive, hard-nosed brand of hockey reflect exactly what Bruins hockey should be.”
The coaching change follows a challenging season. Joe Sacco, who had been a Bruins assistant and former Colorado Avalanche head coach, took over from Montgomery 20 games into the season. However, with the team struggling to contend for a playoff spot, Sweeney made significant moves at the trade deadline, including trading away team captain Brad Marchand, the last remaining member of the 2011 Stanley Cup team, alongside other veterans. The Bruins finished the season with a 33-39-10 overall record, tying for the worst in the Eastern Conference.
Only three teams in the entire league had worse records. CEO Charlie Jacobs publicly addressed the poor performance after the season, calling the results “absolutely unacceptable” and offering an apology to the fanbase.
“We owe you a better team, and we aim to deliver a better team,” Jacobs stated. “I share your disappointment and, frankly, embarrassment on how poorly things played out over the course of this season.”
Sacco was considered for the permanent head coaching position, along with other reported candidates like Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love, former Chicago Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson, and Bruins assistant Jay Leach.
Jim Montgomery, the coach Sacco replaced, had a strong start to his tenure in Boston, posting a 120-41-23 record over two-plus seasons. His first two years included back-to-back seasons with over 100 points, highlighted by a record-setting 2022-23 campaign where the Bruins set NHL records with 65 wins and 135 points.
However, that record-setting season ended in a first-round playoff loss, followed by a second-round exit last year. The team`s struggles continued into this season with an 8-9-3 start before Montgomery’s dismissal. He was quickly hired by the St. Louis Blues on a five-year contract and led them to the playoffs, where they lost in the first round.
Boston`s performance did not improve under Sacco. Leading up to the trade deadline, the team was on a three-game losing streak, sitting at a 28-28 record. The decision was made to trade key players like Marchand, Justin Brazeau, Marc McLaughlin, Trent Frederic, Charlie Coyle, and Brandon Carlo, leaving Sacco to finish the season with a significantly altered roster.
The depleted team subsequently endured a 10-game losing streak – starkly contrasting with the mere 12 losses suffered in the entire 2022-23 season – effectively removing them from playoff contention and positioning them for the NHL draft lottery.
Despite the disappointing outcome of the season, General Manager Don Sweeney received a two-year contract extension. Team President Cam Neely cited the need for stability in the front office during the coaching search, expressing confidence in Sweeney’s plan.
Neely, also a former Bruins player, emphasized the organization’s core objective, stating, “I am confident in the plan he has followed these past few months — and excited for what’s to come for our team. The expectations in Boston have always been clear. It’s about winning championships.”
