Sturm hired as Bruins coach, replaces Sacco

Marco Sturm was named coach of the Boston Bruins on Thursday.

The 46-year-old, who played for the Bruins from 2005-10, will be a head coach for the first time in the NHL. He replaces Joe Sacco, who was named interim coach after Jim Montgomery was fired Nov. 19.

"I'm extremely proud and excited," Sturm said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. "... I'm very honored to take this team to the next level."

The Bruins (33-39-10) finished last in the Atlantic Division after making the Stanley Cup Playoffs the previous eight seasons. They have not advanced beyond the second round since 2019, when they lost in seven games to the St. Louis Blues in the Stanley Cup Final.

"This was a very informative search for me personally and for the organization," Boston general manager Don Sweeney said. "It was a pivotal moment for our franchise, and to learn about reshaping our team, to go through the process of hiring a coach who was committed to reestablishing and renewing our identity, to hiring a coach that was committed to playing with structure, to have an understanding of player development, to value communication and culture within our locker room, to understanding the game has evolved offensively.

"Our players and our personnel, we need to do that. We need to do a better job of that organizationally. We need to be committed to that without sacrificing what our fan base, and also to have a coach who understands our fan base and values the same things of being an incredibly hard out each and every night and understand winning and enjoy winning."

Sturm was coach of the Los Angeles Kings' American Hockey League affiliate in Ontario, California, the past three seasons, going 119-80-17 and guiding the team to the Calder Cup Playoffs in all three seasons. Before that, he was a Kings assistant from 2018-22.

Sturm also coached Germany's national team from 2015-18, a tenure that was highlighted by winning a silver medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. He also won a Deutschland Cup title in 2015 and guided Germany to the quarterfinals of the 2016 and 2017 IIHF World Championship.

"When I saw Don Sweeney's name on my text, it was pretty special," Sturm said. "It got me really excited. Of course I want to be an NHL coach, but this means more."

As a player, Sturm had 487 points (242 goals, 245 assists) in 938 NHL games over 14 seasons as a forward with the San Jose Sharks, Bruins, Kings, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. The No. 21 pick in the 1996 NHL Draft played his first eight seasons for the Sharks before he was traded to the Bruins in the deal that brought Joe Thornton to San Jose on Nov. 30, 2005.

"I think it's great," retired Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron said. "I'm very happy for him. He was an incredible teammate, and I'm not surprised he pursued coaching.

"He has a passion for the game, and I know he's going to do an amazing job. There are a lot of guys who impacted my career in many ways and Marco's one of them. He's a special person with a lot of character. He cares for the game and cares for his teammates. His energy is contagious and this is well deserved. I wish him all the best and I know he's going to do great. I want the team to be successful and for him to do well."

In 302 games with the Bruins, Sturm had 193 points (106 goals, 87 assists).

"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. 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 skated for Germany at the Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2010, the World Cup of Hockey in 2004, four IIHF World Championships (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008), and twice at the IIHF World Junior Championship (1995, 1996).

The Dallas Stars are the only team in the NHL without a coach after firing Pete DeBoer on Friday.

NHL.com independent correspondent Joe McDonald contributed to this report