Latest news with #JayLeach
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bruins coaching rumors: Another finalist named in search
The Boston Bruins are narrowing down candidates to be their next coach, and another finalist has entered the mix. Jay Leach had an in-person interview at Warrior Ice Arena and is finalist for the position, a league source told The Athletic's Fluto Shinzawa on Thursday. Advertisement Leach was an assistant coach for the Bruins last season and was in charge of defense. Before that, he spent three years with the Seattle Kraken after he was coach of the Providence Bruins for four seasons. Boston's defense allowed 3.30 goals per game in 2024-25 — which was 26th in the NHL. The Bruins were without Hampus Lindholm for much of the season due to a knee injury, and Charlie McAvoy missed the second half with an AC joint injury. Both players are expected to be healthy for training camp. Ontario Reign coach and former Bruins forward Marco Sturm and Washington Capitals assistant Mitch Love are also finalists. The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta added that former Edmonton Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft is also among those still in contention. Joe Sacco, who took over as interim coach after Jim Montgomery was fired, was originally in the mix, but it's unclear where things stand with him. Advertisement General manager Don Sweeney told the Boston Herald's Steve Conroy that he expects to have a coach in place 'well before' the NHL Entry Draft, which begins on June 27. More Bruins content Read the original article on MassLive.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Jay Leach a finalist for Bruins coaching position: Source
Jay Leach is a finalist for the Boston Bruins vacant head coaching position, a league source granted anonymity to discuss conversations regarding hockey operations personnel told The Athletic. Leach had an in-person interview on Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena. Leach, 45, recently concluded his first season as a Bruins assistant coach in charge of the defense. The Bruins hired Leach to join Jim Montgomery's staff after he spent the previous three years as Dave Hakstol's assistant with the Seattle Kraken. Hakstol was replaced by Dan Bylsma. Advertisement The Bruins allowed 3.30 goals per game in 2024-25, No. 26 in the NHL. Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, the team's top two defensemen, were limited to 50 and 17 games, respectively, because of injuries. The Bruins expect McAvoy (shoulder) and Lindholm (patella) to be at full health for training camp. Leach was Providence's head coach for four seasons before his three-year stretch in Seattle. He was also a Providence assistant for one year under Kevin Dean. During his time in Providence, Leach coached McAvoy, Jakub Lauko and Jeremy Swayman. Other ex-Bruins who played for Leach in Providence include Noel Acciari, Connor Clifton, Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic, Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen, Sean Kuraly, Jeremy Lauzon, Jack Studnicka and Dan Vladar. Leach joins Mitch Love and Marco Sturm as other confirmed finalists for the vacancy. Love completed his in-person interview on Wednesday, according to the source. Sturm is scheduled for his in-person interview on Friday. The standing of interim coach Joe Sacco is unknown. General manager Don Sweeney previously said Sacco would be part of a final group of candidates. Leach shares profiles with Love, 40, and Sturm, 46, as up-and-comers with no NHL head coaching experience. They are known as being sharp communicators who can engage with young players.
