Jay Leach in the Running for Head Coach Position
Jay Leach is in the running for the head coach position with the Boston Bruins, as confirmed by a league source who preferred to remain unnamed. Leach interviewed in person on Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena for the open role. At 45 years old, he recently wrapped up his inaugural season with the Bruins as an assistant coach focused on the defense.
Coaching Background
Prior to his role with the Bruins, Leach spent three years as an assistant under Dave Hakstol with the Seattle Kraken, a tenure that concluded when Hakstol was replaced by Dan Bylsma.
Bruins’ Season Performance Analysis
During the 2024-25 season, the Bruins struggled defensively, conceding an average of 3.30 goals per game, placing them 26th in the NHL. Notably, injuries limited key defensemen Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm to only 50 and 17 games, respectively. However, both players are anticipated to recover fully by the start of training camp, with McAvoy dealing with a shoulder injury and Lindholm recovering from a patellar issue.
Previous Coaching Experience
Before his assistant coaching role in Boston, Leach served as the head coach for the Providence Bruins for four seasons and also had a one-year stint as an assistant under Kevin Dean. Throughout his time in Providence, he had the opportunity to coach several notable players, including McAvoy, Jakub Lauko, and Jeremy Swayman, as well as former Bruins such as Noel Acciari and Connor Clifton.
Finalists for Head Coaching Vacancy
Leach is one of three finalists for the Bruins’ head coaching vacancy, alongside Mitch Love and Marco Sturm. Sources indicate that Love completed his in-person interview on Wednesday, while Sturm is set to interview on Friday. The status of interim coach Joe Sacco remains uncertain, although general manager Don Sweeney has stated that Sacco will be included in the final candidate considerations.
Shared among the finalists is their status as emerging coaching talents without prior head coaching experience in the NHL. They are recognized for their effective communication skills and ability to connect with younger players, which could be an asset as the Bruins look to bolster their roster moving forward.
