Bruins Hire Marco Sturm as New Coach

Joel Piton
2 days ago
3 min read

by Joel Piton 6/5/2025 FansOnlySportz

The Boston Bruins have announced their new head coach after a long, dreary search: and it's a familiar face.

The team announced Thursday morning that former pro-player Marco Sturm has been named the 30th head coach in franchise history, bringing a former fan favorite back to TD Garden. Sturm, 46, spent five seasons in Boston as a player (2005-2010) and now returns to lead a retooling Bruins squad in search of a new identity.

A 15-year NHL veteran with 938 games under his belt, Sturm tallied 106 goals and 193 points in 302 games with the Bruins after being acquired in the 2005 Joe Thornton blockbuster trade. He scored 20-plus goals in four of his five seasons with Boston, including several clutch tallies — none more iconic than the overtime winner in the 2010 Winter Classic at Fenway Park and a dramatic game-winner in Game 6 against Montreal during the 2008 playoffs. While Sturm unfortunately left right before the 2011 Stanley Cup-winning roster, he played a pivotal role in Boston’s resurgence leading up to that championship run.

Since retiring, Sturm has quietly built a respected coaching resume. He served as head coach of Germany’s national team from 2015 to 2018, leading the squad to a silver medal at the 2018 Winter Olympics. He then joined the Los Angeles Kings organization, spending four years as an assistant coach before taking over their AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign, where he posted a 119-80-17 record across three seasons and helped develop future players, among them Quinton Byfield and Brandt Clarke.

Known for his defense-first mindset and calm, communicative style, Sturm aligns well with the Bruins’ stated goals this offseason.

What else do we know about Marco Sturm? His playing career was more than respectable—he was once an NHL All-Star and, for a time, stood as the most prolific German scorer in league history. Despite being known for his defensive structure behind the bench, Sturm brings a winning pedigree and a calm, composed mentality to a Bruins team that desperately needs both. His appointment comes after the Bruins parted ways with Jim Montgomery early last season, following a disappointing start that saw the team win just eight of their first 20 games. Assistant coach Joe Sacco stepped in as interim head coach, but his future with the organization remains uncertain. It's possible Boston opts for a fresh start with an entirely new coaching staff.

“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,” said Bruins GM Don Sweeney. “As a former Bruin, he understands what this team means to the city and our fans.” The 46-year-old Sturm checks the boxes according to Sweeney and can develop youth, evolve offensively, but never sacrifice the team's foundation.

Fortunately, defense is one area where the Bruins already have a leg up. Veterans Charlie McAvoy, Hampus Lindholm, and Nikita Zadorov lead a deep blue line, while goaltender Jeremy Swayman appears poised for a breakout season after backstopping Team USA to gold at the World Championship in Stockholm.

With Sturm now at the helm, Boston can shift focus to upgrading its offensive production which had glaring weaknesses last season. The Bruins finished 28th in goals per game and had one of the league’s most disappointing records. Still, they’ll have the means to make moves, and the team is projected to have over $26 million in cap space this offseason.

With a defensive core in place, a proven netminder, and now a coach who mirrors the franchise’s values, the Bruins could be building something formidable. The pieces are there. The plan is in motion. Get ready folks—a new era is about to begin in Boston.