Bruins assistant Ward resigns to coach German team

Boston Bruins assistant coach Geoff Ward has resigned to become coach of the Mannheim Eagles in Germany's DEL, the teams announced Thursday.

Ward had been part of Bruins coach Claude Julien's staff since the 2007-08 season, winning the Stanley Cup in 2011 and working extensively with the Boston power play, which improved to third in the NHL this season.

Ward has had two previous head coaching stints in Germany with Bad Nauheim EC in 2000-01 and the Iserlohn Roosters in 2006-07, amidst a 20-year coaching career.