Bruins name ex-forward Marco Sturm as head coach after missing playoffs for first time since 2016 WSOC TV [Video]

BOSTON — (AP) — The Boston Bruins hired Marco Sturm as coach on Thursday to help the Original Six franchise get back to the playoffs after missing them for the first time since 2016.

The Bruins picked the 46-year-old German to replace interim coach Joe Sacco, who took over from Jim Montgomery in November and led the team to a 25-30-7 record — much of it after a trade deadline roster purge. Sturm, who spent the past three seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Ontario Reign and coached Germany to a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, is a former Boston player — just like Bruins president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney.

“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,” said Sturm, who was a Bruins left wing from 2005-10. “I’ve felt that passion as a …