After an exhaustive search for a new coach, the Bruins landed on the guy many thought would be their choice from nearly the outset.
Marco Sturm was named the head coach of the Boston Bruins on Thursday, adding another chapter to the story of the German and his intriguing relationship with the team. The 46-year-old Sturm is the first coach of the Bruins to be born and bred in Europe.
Among those Sturm beat out for the job were Washington assistant and two-time AHL coach of the year Mitch Love, B’s assistant Jay Leach and interim coach Joe Sacco. Former Edmonton head coach Jay Woodcroft had also been reportedly under consideration at one point. The B’s were the last of eight teams looking to hire a coach to fill their vacancy after Pittsburgh hired Canton native and now former Rangers assistant Dan Muse on Wednesday.
“We’re proud to name Marco as the 30th Head Coach of the Boston Bruins and welcome him, Astrid, Mason, and Kaydie to Boston,” said GM Don Sweeney in a statement. “Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively. 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.”
Two decades ago, Sturm and B’s fans didn’t exactly get off on the right foot with each other, through no fault of the player. In November of 2005, he was part of a three-player package that included defenseman Brad Stuart and bottom-six forward Wayne Primeau that came to Boston for burgeoning superstar Joe Thornton, who would win the Hart Trophy that year for the San Jose Sharks.
The deal is among the most widely vilified in B’s history, yet it opened the door for the next era of successful Bruins’ hockey. The departure of Thornton elevated young centerman Patrice Bergeron and it would also open the door for B’s to allocate the funds to sign Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard the following summer.
Sturm also played his own part in the B’s return to relevance in the local landscape. In Game 6 of their first round playoff series against the Montreal Canadiens in 2008, Sturm scored the late game-winning goal to push the series to a seventh game. Though the heavily favored Habs prevailed in the series, that Game 6 for the ages reignited the region’s passion for the team, dormant for years.
While Sturm eventually forced his way into the hearts of Bruins’ fans, the 46-year-old bench boss will not be flying down the wing upon his return. Rather, he’ll be trying to mold a team, the roster of which will be determined throughout the summer.
“I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” said Sturm in the statement. “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.”
No one yet knows what kind of NHL head coach he’ll be, but Sturm did pay his coaching dues. After
his playing career, he was named coach and general manager of the German national team in 2015. The highlight of his tenure was taking Germany to the silver medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics.
He spent the next four seasons as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings’ staff and he just finished up his third season as the head coach of the Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, with whom he had a 119-80-17 record.
While Sturm will have some pieces at his disposal that most rebuilding teams don’t – superstar David Pastrnak, two top pair defensemen in Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm (presuming good health) and No. 1 goalie Jeremy Swayman (presuming he returns to form) – he will be expected to incorporate some young players into the lineup (Matt Poitras? Fabian Lysell? Fraser Minten?) as well as one or two impact free agent acquisitions.
The B’s also have the No. 7 pick in the upcoming draft. If all goes well, Sturm will be charged with shepherding what the team hopes will be a foundational player into the NHL in the next year or two.
So, much like his first arrival in Boston nearly two decades ago, Sturm makes his return in similarly uncertain waters. We’ll see if he can help get the team back on the right path again.
