The Boston Bruins hired Marco Sturm as their new head coach Thursday, filling the final vacant position in the NHL.

Sturm, 46, will be a head coach for the first time in the league.

The Bruins punched their ticket to the playoffs in eight consecutive seasons before limping to an Atlantic Division-worst 33-39-10 record in 2024-25. Boston replaced head coach Jim Montgomery after 20 games on Nov. 19, with interim head coach Joe Sacco finishing the season with a 25-30-7 mark.

Sturm said he welcomes the opportunity to preside over a team he represented from 2005-10.

“I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” Sturm said. “I want to thank Charlie Jacobs and the Jacobs family, (Bruins president) Cam Neely, and (general manager) 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.”

Sweeney credited Sturm’s attention to defensive hockey as one of the reasons for his hiring.

“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.”

Sturm has coached Ontario of the American Hockey League for the past three seasons, guiding the Reign to the playoffs in all three campaigns.

Sturm totaled 487 points (242 goals, 245 assists) in 938 career games with the San Jose Sharks, Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks and Florida Panthers. He was traded from the Sharks to the Bruins as part of the Joe Thornton deal on Nov. 30, 2005.

Sturm is Germany’s all-time leader in NHL games played.