Bruins hire Marco Sturm as their new head coach
A former Bruins player, Marco Sturm has spent the last seven seasons coaching in the Kings' organization.
The Boston Bruins have made a decision on their next head coach.
The team announced Thursday morning that Marco Sturm will be the 30th head coach in franchise history — with the former Boston winger poised to lead what will be a retooling roster moving forward.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” Sturm said in a team release. “I want to thank Charlie Jacobs and the Jacobs family, Cam Neely, and Don Sweeney for trusting me with this opportunity. 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.
“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 former Bruins’ top-six winger who tallied some memorable goals for Boston ahead of the franchise’s latest Cup-contention window, Sturm has raised his stock as a top coaching candidate both overseas and with the Los Angeles Kings organization.
Sturm, 46, has spent the last three seasons coaching the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign. Over that stretch, the Reign have posted a record of 119-80-17 — with Sturm helping to develop current Kings lineup regulars in Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke.
Prior to his time in the AHL ranks, Sturm was an assistant coach with the Kings (2018-22) on both Willie Desjardins and Todd McLellan’s coaching staff — carrying that same defense-first, grinding style of hockey over to Ontario during the last three seasons.
Before making the jump to the NHL coaching ranks, Sturm put himself on the map as the head coach of the German National Team from 2015-18. His tenure ended on a high note, as the Bavarian native helped coach the Germans to a silver medal during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
A 15-year NHL veteran, Sturm became a lineup regular with the Bruins after arriving in Boston in 2005 as part of the Joe Thornton blockbuster trade with the Sharks. During his five seasons with the Bruins, Sturm scored 106 goals and 193 total points — including four seasons with at least 20 goals.
While Sturm was not part of the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning Bruins roster, the winger delivered in the clutch during several pivotal moments in the franchise’s build-up to that championship run.
During a 2007-08 season that offered hope of greater returns in the coming years, Sturm forced a Game 7 in Boston’s first-round series against Montreal — scoring the game-winning tally with 2:37 left in regulation to secure a 5-4 Game 6 victory at a raucous TD Garden.
Sturm also scored the game-winning overtime goal for Boston during the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park, tipping home a feed from Patrice Bergeron to secure a 2-1 victory over the Flyers.
Now, Sturm will be tasked with righting the ship on a Bruins roster that posted the fifth-worst record in the NHL last season at 33-39-10.
“Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said in the release. “We were also looking for a communicator and leader – someone who connects with players, develops young talent, and earns the respect of the room.
“Marco impressed us at every step with his preparation, clarity, and passion. 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.”
Sturm will replace interim head coach Joe Sacco, although it’s unclear what other changes await Boston’s coaching staff under Sturm.
Sturm’s reported appointment ends weeks of searching by Sweeney and the Bruins for the franchise’s next bench boss — with other rumored candidates including Mitch Love, Jay Woodcroft, Sacco, and Jay Leach.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com