June 5, 2025 | 6:00pm ET
By Shawn Hutcheon, TheFourthPeriod.com

BOSTON HOLDS “SPECIAL PLACE” IN STURM’S HEART

Marco Sturm, Bruins new Head Coach

BOSTON, MA — The wait is over. Boston announced on Thursday that former Bruins player Marco Sturm has been hired as the team’s new Head Coach.

As a player, Sturm was drafted in the first round (21st overall) by the San Jose Sharks in the 1996 NHL Draft. He went on to skate in 938 career NHL games with San Jose, Boston, Los Angeles, Washington, Florida, and Vancouver from 1997-2012, recording 242 goals and 245 assists for 487 points with a plus-59 rating.

In November 2005, Sturm, along with Brad Stuart and Wayne Primeau, was traded from San Jose to Boston for Joe Thornton.

During his five seasons (2005-06 to 2009-10) in Boston, Sturm played in 302 games and produced 193 points on 106 goals and 87 assists. For many Bruins fans, Sturm’s most memorable goal was the overtime game-winner at the 2010 Winter Classic played at Boston’s Fenway Park versus the Philadelphia Flyers.

To this day, Sturm leads all German players for most NHL games played and ranks second for career goals and career points. Internationally, he represented Germany at three Olympic Games (1998, 2002, 2010), four IIHF Men’s World Championships (1997, 2001, 2004, 2008), and the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Sturm’s coaching career began in his home country of Germany in 2015. He served as the coach and general manager for the German Men’s National Team from 2015-18. In 2018, Sturm led Germany to a silver-medal finish in the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, becoming the first German team to ever appear in the gold-medal game and the first German team to make the Olympic podium since 1976. Sturm’s coaching tenure with Germany was additionally highlighted by a Deutschland Cup title in 2015 and back-to-back quarterfinal appearances (2016, 2017) at the IIHF Men’s World Championship, the best final placement for Germany since 2011

After enjoying success on the international stage, Sturm returned to North America as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings. A post he held from 2018 to 2022.

Los Angeles named Sturm the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, Ontario (California) Reign. For the following three seasons (2022 to 2025), the team compiled an overall record of 119-80-11-6 and made three consecutive Calder Cup playoff appearances.

In the Bruins’ statement, General Manager Don Sweeney listed the qualities the franchise was looking for in its next coach.

“Throughout this process, our goal was to identify a coach who could uphold our strong defensive foundation while helping us evolve offensively,” Sweeney said. “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.”

Sturm (46) will have his work cut out for him as he takes over a team that finished last (8th) in the Atlantic Division, fifteenth (of 16 teams) in the Eastern Conference, and 28th in the 32-team league. Boston did not qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs, but whether it is realistic to expect a team that is retooling to bounce back from a disastrous season and compete for the Stanley Cup next year, Sturm has the advantage of having lived through the history and expectations that swirl around the Bruins every season.

“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.”

The Bruins will hold a press conference formally introducing Sturm as their new head coach on Tuesday, June 10, in Boston.