JUST IN: Bruins hire top talented superstar as coach

Jay Leach is returning to the Boston Bruins organization for his third stint, this time as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 NHL season. The Bruins also announced the promotion of Joe Sacco to associate coach.

Leach’s history with the Original Six team dates back to the 2003-04 season when he played three games for the Bruins’ AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. His NHL debut came in the 2005-06 season, playing two games for Boston without recording any points.

Over the next five years, Leach played for four additional teams before retiring as the Albany Devils’ captain after the 2013-14 AHL season. He quickly transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant coach for Adler Mannheim in the DEL and then with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In the 2016-17 AHL season, Leach rejoined the Bruins organization as an assistant coach for Providence, becoming head coach the following season.

In his four-year tenure as Providence’s head coach, Leach led the team to a 136-77-26 record, which earned him an NHL opportunity. He joined the Seattle Kraken as an assistant coach under Dave Hakstol after the team became the NHL’s 32nd franchise. Following a disappointing 2023-24 season, the Kraken restructured their coaching staff, allowing Leach to explore other opportunities.

Meanwhile, Joe Sacco has been promoted to associate coach after a decade as an assistant coach for the Bruins. During his tenure, Boston has reached one Stanley Cup Final and won two Presidents’ Trophies for the best regular-season record.