Takeaways from Marco Sturm’s introductory press conference with the Bruins
"The style and all the winning mind-set we had, I think that’s something that just gets me really excited and that’s what I believe in.”
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During Marco Sturm’s first tour of duty with the Bruins, the left winger could always count on Patrice Bergeron being front and center for him.
So, it was only appropriate that Bergeron had a front-row seat for Sturm’s introduction as the Bruins’ 30th head coach Tuesday at Verizon Tower.
“I’m very excited to see Bergy again,” said Sturm. “So, thank you for coming and supporting me.”
Sturm takes over a team that missed the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and is charged with what general manager Don Sweeney called “renewing our identity” of “being an incredibly hard out each and every night.”
This is Sturm’s first NHL head coaching job after three seasons guiding the Ontario Reign, the Kings’ AHL affiliate.
“When I saw Don Sweeney’s name on my text, it was pretty special. It got me really, really excited,” said Sturm. “And of course I want to be an NHL coach, but this means more. And why? I think there’s a few reasons. I think the identity, and Don was talking about the culture we built here 20 years ago. It’s still here. The style and all the winning mind-set we had, I think that’s something that just gets me really excited and that’s what I believe in.”
Sturm played five seasons in Boston after arriving from San Jose as part of the Joe Thornton trade in 2005.
“I mean, it was not my fault, right?” Sturm said with a laugh about the swap that ended with Thornton, the Bruins’ captain at the time, winning the Hart Trophy (MVP) and Art Ross Trophy (top scorer) for the Sharks.
“But I got here, and it was difficult, I’m not going to lie. It was difficult because everyone loved Joe and it was a big trade, but I understood really quickly why it happened. And also, we had guys in the locker room, they wanted them to lead. So, I saw that in Year 2. It was a little painful. It was not easy. I mean, as soon as you read the paper or social media or even you go on the street, people will let you know, but also it pushes you. And that’s what I saw it — the positive way.”
Sturm, who called the job “a perfect fit,” touched on a number of subjects on his first official day on the job.
⋅ On the changing roster:
“I think that the process has already started last season at the trading deadline, right? There will be some changes and again, but what I like is, and I told Don and [team president] Cam [Neely] that I still love our team even without any addition. Because I think we have good goaltending. I think when everyone stays healthy, we have a really good D corps. I think we hopefully want to add a few pieces up front, but overall, I do like our roster. But having said that, I think . . . we just probably need a little bit more.”
⋅ On his top priorities:
“I think in our DNA, the Bruins’ DNA, playing good defensively, it’s not going to change, but we have to find a way to be more productive offensively. I think that’s going to be our goal and challenge, but that’s what we are going to address from Day 1.And obviously special teams will be a big part, too.”
⋅ On evolving the Bruins’ offense:
“I think when I talk about we want to score more goals, scoring more goals is not just in the offensive zone. Yes, that’s where the puck is going to end up, but for me it all starts with, ‘How are we going to get there?’ I think there’s different areas in the game where we can definitely get better. It’s coming up with the puck, we want to have the puck more, we’ve got to have better entries for example, not turning pucks over. I think that part was a big issue, and offensive zone. Yeah, I mean, you’re going to put that structure in place, right? But we’ve also got to be more hungry and we’ve got to have a better mind-set.”
⋅ On the style he likes:
“I want them to have that offensive mind-set and that mentality when we have the puck. We want to play with pace with and without the puck. Not just think the game. We want to play the game fast. It’s not going to happen overnight, but that’s something I will address right away.”
⋅ On adding another assistant to join holdovers Chris Kelly, Jay Leach, and Bob Essensa.
“I think at the end of the day it’s got to be the right fit for me and also for the team. Yes, we want somebody who has some power-play experience, I think. But again, I’m looking at everything right now in that process.”
⋅ On his family’s desire to return to Boston:
“They’ve been bugging me for a while to get a place in Boston. They grew up here — my kids grew up here — and they always wanted to come back, and here I am. Now they’ve got their wish.”
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