Marco Sturm first encountered the fervent support of Boston Bruins fans during his playing days, specifically when he was traded to Boston in the deal that sent former top draft pick and future NHL MVP Joe Thornton to San Jose.
Speaking Tuesday at the press conference introducing him as the Bruins` new head coach, the former forward jokingly reflected on that period: “I mean, it wasn`t my fault, right?” He acknowledged the initial difficulty, stating frankly, “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.”
However, Sturm emphasized the positive impact of the demanding fanbase. “But also it pushes you. And I saw it in the positive way,” he commented. He holds fond memories of his time with the team and understands the local dynamic. “I’ve got such good memories here. And I know the fans, as soon as they feel that there’s something good happening here, they will support you. I know that.” While aware of the potential for negative reactions, he concluded, “It kind of goes the other way, too. But I don’t want to talk about that. I want to look forward.”
Sturm, who was a first-round draft pick and a three-time Olympian, played five out of his 14 NHL seasons for the Bruins. After his playing career, he coached the German national team to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. For the six years prior to taking the Bruins job, he was part of the Los Angeles Kings organization, serving as the head coach of their AHL affiliate for the last three seasons.
