The Boston Bruins named former NHL player Marco Sturm their 30th coach in franchise history on Thursday.
Sturm takes over the bench from interim coach Joe Sacco, who replaced Jim Montgomery in mid-November.
"Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively," Bruins GM Don Sweeney said in a press release. "We were also looking for a communicator and leader – someone who connects with players, develops young talent and earns the respect of the room."
The Bruins went from setting a record-high 135 points in 2022-23 to 109 points in 2023-24 and then 76 points this season, a drop-off of 33 points. They tied for last place in the Eastern Conference.
During that time, the goals against increased, while the goals-for dropped:
- 2022-23: 3.67 goals-for per game, 2.12 goals against per game
- 2023-24: 3.21 goals-for, 2.70 goals against
- 2024-25: 2.71 goals-for, 3.30 goals against
Their power-play percentage dropped to 15.2 percent from 22.2 percent last year, and the penalty-kill percentage fell to 76.3 percent from 82.5.
Aside from David Pastrnak recording 43 goals and 106 points, no other Bruins player reached 60 points. Morgan Geekie had the next-most points, with 57, and he averaged 16:55 of ice time. Free-agent signing Elias Lindholm had 47 points, as did fellow center Pavel Zacha, who averaged 19:04 of ice time.
The Bruins traded captain Brad Marchand, centers Charlie Coyle and Trent Frederic and defenseman Brandon Carlo, among others, at the NHL trade deadline to try to recoup assets for this season and retool for next year. But there are still some strong, core players, such as right winger Pastrnak, defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm and goaltender Jeremy Swayman. The B's want Sturm's hard-nosed brand of hockey to bring this team forward.
Sturm spent the past three seasons as coach of the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings, which made the playoffs each time. They averaged 3.13 goals-for per game and 2.875 goals against per game this season.
The 46-year-old has coached Quinton Byfield, Brandt Clarke and Alex Turcotte, who graduated to the Kings. He's also been an assistant coach for the Kings and a coach for Germany's men's team for three years, including the U-20 team, World Championship squad and the Olympic team that won silver in 2018.
"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."
The former left winger from Dingolfing, Germany, played 938 NHL games across 14 seasons, five of which were with the Bruins. He had 242 goals and 245 assists for 487 points, along with 22 points in 68 playoff games.
"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," Sturm said in the announcement. "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."
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