5 things to know about new Boston Bruins coach
Marco Sturm is coming back to TD Garden.
After an exhaustive search, the former Bruins forward has been named the franchise's 30th head coach. Boston was the final team to fill their head coaching vacancy this offseason.
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'I'm incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,' Sturm said in a 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.'
Here are five things to know about the first-time NHL head coach with 938 games under his belt as a player:
1. Sturm wasn't one-goal wonder in Boston
While he appears on most Bruins highlight reels scoring the 2010 Winter Classic overtime clincher at Fenway Park, Sturm's career in Boston was far more expansive than one game-winning goal.
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A piece of the return in 2005's stunning Joe Thornton trade, Sturm spent five seasons in Boston, scoring more than 20 goals four times. He played on Patrice Bergeron's left wing in the center's early days and finished with 106 goals in 302 games as a Bruin.
'As a former Bruin, he understands what this team means to the city and our fans,' general manager Don Sweeney said. '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.'
2. He has been coaching the Ontario Reign
Though he doesn't have NHL head coaching experience, Sturm has spent the past three seasons behind the bench for Ontario, the Kings' AHL affiliate, posting a 119-80-11-6 record. The 46-year-old led the Reign to postseason berths in all three seasons, winning one playoff series. Last season Sturm coached former Bruins prospect Jack Studnicka (16 goals, 29 assists) in Ontario.
3. Sturm comes from defensive-minded Kings system
The Bruins have made it no secret they're looking for a defense-first approach, and Sturm comes from a Kings franchise that's notorious for being defensive-minded. He spent 2018-2022 as an assistant in Los Angeles before his promotion to Ontario.
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'Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively,' Sweeney said. '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.
4. Germany-native has coached internationally
A native of Dingolfing, Sturm played for the German national team in international tournaments and has coached it, too. The Germans won a silver medal under Sturm at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, and he's coached them three times (2016-18) in the IIHF World Championships, too.
5. Sturm was once Germany's scoring leader
With 487 career points (242 goals and 245 assists), Sturm was the most prolific German scorer of all-time until Oilers phenom Leon Draisaitl came along. Draisaitl broke Sturm's mark in 2021 and has since obliterated it playing alongside Connor McDavid.
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'Of course, this is a great honor for me. We have some great hockey players who come from Germany. To top this list means a lot to me,' Draisaitl said after breaking the record.
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