Sturm hired as Bruins coach, replaces Sacco

Marco Sturm was named coach of the Boston Bruins on Thursday.

The 46-year-old, who played for the Bruins from 2005-10, will be a head coach for the first time in the NHL. He replaces Joe Sacco, who was named interim coach after Jim Montgomery was fired on Nov. 19.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” Sturm said. “I want to thank Charlie Jacobs and the Jacobs family, (Bruins president) Cam Neely, and (general manager) 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.”

The Bruins (33-39-10) finished last in the Atlantic Division after making the Stanley Cup Playoffs the previous eight seasons. They have not advanced beyond the second round since 2019, when they lost in seven games to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final.

“We’re proud to name Marco as the 30th head coach of the Boston Bruins and welcome him, Astrid, Mason, and Kaydie to Boston,” Sweeney said. “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.”

Sturm was coach of the Los Angeles Kings’ American Hockey League affiliate in Ontario, California, the past three seasons, going 119-80-17 and guiding the team to the Calder Cup Playoffs in all three seasons. Before that, he was a Kings assistant from 2018-22.

Sturm also coached Germany’s national team from 2015-18, a tenure that was highlighted by winning a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. He also won a Deutschland Cup title in 2015 and guided Germany to the quarterfinals of the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Championship.

As a player, Sturm had 487 points (242 goals, 245 assists) in 938 NHL games over 14 seasons as a forward with the San Jose Sharks, Bruins, Kings, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. The No. 21 pick in the 1996 NHL Draft played his first eight seasons for the Sharks before he was traded to the Bruins in the deal that brought Joe Thornton to San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005.

“I think it’s great,” retired Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said. “I’m very happy for him. He was an incredible teammate, and I’m not surprised he pursued coaching.

“He has a passion for the game, and I know he’s going to do an amazing job. There are a lot of guys who impacted my career in many ways and Marco’s one of them. He’s a special person with a lot of character. He cares for the game and cares for his teammates. His energy is contagious and this is well deserved. I wish him all the best and I know he’s going to do great. I want the team to be successful and for him to do well.”

In 302 games with the Bruins, Sturm had 193 points (106 goals, 87 assists).

“Marco impressed us at every step with his preparation, clarity, and passion,” Sweeney said. “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 skated for Germany at the Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2010, the World Cup of Hockey in 2004, four IIHF World Championships (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008), and twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship (1995, 1996).

Each of the 32 NHL teams now has a coach. Dan Muse was hired by the Pittsburgh Penguins on June 4, Lane Lambert by the Seattle Kraken on May 29, Jeff Blashill by the Chicago Blackhawks on May 22, Rick Tocchet by the Philadelphia Flyers and Adam Foote by the Canucks on May 14, Joel Quenneville by the Anaheim Ducks on May 8 and Mike Sullivan by the New York Rangers on May 2.

NHL.com independent correspondent Joe McDonald contributed to this report