BOSTON — Marco Sturm had his initial encounter with the fervent Bruins supporters when he was traded to Boston in exchange for Joe Thornton, who was the first overall draft pick and would soon become NHL MVP.
“I mean, it wasn’t my fault, right?” the former Bruins forward remarked with a chuckle to reporters on Tuesday during the press conference announcing his appointment as the team`s coach. “Getting here was challenging, I won’t deny it. If you read the newspaper, look at social media, or even walk on the street, people don`t hesitate to express themselves.
“But it also serves as motivation. And I viewed it positively,” Sturm stated. “I hold such fond memories from my time here. And I`m well aware that as soon as the fans sense positive developments with the team, they will offer their full support. I know that. Of course, it can also go the other way. But I prefer not to dwell on that; I want to concentrate on the future.”
Sturm, a three-time Olympian and first-round draft pick who played five of his 14 NHL seasons with the Bruins, previously led Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. Following that, he spent six years within the Los Angeles Kings organization, serving as the head coach for their AHL affiliate for the last three years.