Marco Sturm has been appointed as the new head coach of the Boston Bruins, marking a significant change for the franchise. The announcement was made on Thursday, designating Sturm as the 30th head coach in Bruins history.
He steps in after Jim Montgomery was dismissed in November following a challenging start to the season, which saw the team tally an 8-9-3 record. Joe Sacco briefly assumed the role on an interim basis but was unable to steer the Bruins back to playoff contention, culminating in a disappointing 25-30-7 record during his tenure. The team traded captain Brad Marchand at the trade deadline and finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Sturm is now faced with the challenge of revitalizing the Bruins and steering them towards playoff success. His predecessor, Montgomery, achieved remarkable regular season milestones, including leading the team to a groundbreaking 65 wins during the 2022-23 season, yet both playoff campaigns under Montgomery ended in the first or second rounds against the Florida Panthers, leaving fans yearning for further postseason advancements.
Sturm’s hiring comes after a competitive search process that featured him and Mitch Love, an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals, as the leading candidates. This will be Sturm’s first head coaching role in the NHL, but he has a history with the Bruins from his playing days between 2005 and 2010. His coaching credentials include leading the German national team to a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and a successful stint as head coach of the LA Kings’ AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, where he recorded a 119-80-17 record over three seasons.
As Sturm embarks on this new adventure, he inherits a legacy of high expectations from a passionate fan base eager for a deep playoff run. His previous experience and connection to the organization may provide a refreshing perspective as he aims to restore the Bruins to their competitive stature in the NHL. The hope is that with his guidance, the team can harness its potential and exceed the challenges faced in recent seasons.