The final available head-coaching position in the NHL was filled on Thursday morning.
Marco Sturm was named the 30th bench boss in Boston Bruins history, ending the final coaching search in the league. Sturm played five seasons with the Bruins during his 14-year NHL career, and beat out other candidates who interviewed for the job, like Washington Capitals assistant coach Mitch Love, former Edmonton Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft, and Bruins assistant coach Jay Leach.
“We’re proud to name Marco as the 30th Head Coach of the Boston Bruins and welcome him, Astrid, Mason, and Kaydie to Boston,” Bruins general manager Don Sweeney said 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.”
Sturm has never been a bench boss at the NHL level but has spent the past three years as head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Under Sturm, the Reign, Los Angeles’ AHL affiliate, made the playoffs three seasons in a row. He also served as an assistant coach with the Kings for four seasons from 2018 to 2022.
Before joining the Kings organization, Sturm served as head coach and general manager for his native Germany from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, he led Germany to a silver-medal finish in the 2018 Winter Olympics, becoming the first German team to medal since 1976.
“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, 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.”
Sturm played 938 games in the NHL with the Bruins, Capitals, Kings, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Florida Panthers. He recorded 487 career points (242g, 245a).
The Bruins’ job getting filled means the Caps will keep Love behind their bench for at least one more season. Love was in the running for several open spots this summer, interviewing with the Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken among potential others.
