Bruins officially hire and introduce their new head coach, Marco Sturm

This just in, the Boston Bruins have hired Marco Sturm as their new head coach.

“We’re proud to name Marco as the 30th Head Coach of the Boston Bruins and welcome him, Astrid, Mason, and Kaydie to Boston,” said General Manager Don Sweeney in a prepared 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.”

"I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” said Sturm in the same 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.”

Sturm, 46, served as head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign for the past three seasons (2022-25). Under Sturm, the team compiled an overall record of 119-80-11-6 and made three consecutive playoff appearances. Prior to his time in Ontario, Sturm spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings from 2018-22. In his final year behind the bench with Los Angeles, the Kings earned their first Stanley Cup playoff berth since 2018 and posted a 99-point regular-season (44-27-11).

Read below for earlier reports on the Bruins' coaching search and how things have developed over the past week.

According to a report from NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Boston Bruins have informed interim-head coach Joe Sacco that he will NOT be hired as the team's full-time head coach this offseason.

“I’m under the impression he was told he won’t be staying,” Friedman said on today's episode of Sportsnet's 32 Thoughts Podcast.

Instead, the Bruins continue to interview the likes of Marco Sturm, Jay Woodcroft and Mitch Love for the vacant coaching position.

Sacco was named interim coach of the Bruins this past season after the club fired Jim Montgomery in mid-November. Although the Bruins missed the playoffs and had a 25-30-7 record under Sacco, Bruins GM Don Sweeney told reporters that Sacco was an automatic finalist for the vacant head coaching position at the conclusion of the season.

Read below for our earlier report on Sturm, who NHL insider Cam Robinson reported was in line for the job last week. It's unclear what has happened in the meantime, or if Robinson simply had incorrect information. Still, it's worth reading up on Sturm, as he may indeed be the team's next head coach.

According to a report from NHL insider Cam Robinson, the Boston Bruins will hire Marco Sturm as their next head coach.

From Robinson:

It's important to note that no other reputable insiders have backed Robinson's report. At least, not yet...

However, Sturm was reported to be a finalist for the Bruins' head coaching position by ESPN insider Kevin Weekes earlier today. Weekes reported that the Bruins were down to Sturm, Jay Woodcroft and Mitch Love for the job.

Sturm gets his first NHL head coaching job after three seasons as head coach of the AHL's Ontario Reign. He was previously an assistant coach from 2018 until 2022 with the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.