On Tuesday afternoon, the Boston Bruins introduced that they’d fired head coach Jim Montgomery following an 8-9-3 begin to the 2024-25 season. Additionally they introduced that assistant coach Joe Sacco would function interim head coach for the workforce efficient instantly.
As of the announcement, Boston holds an 8-9-3 file, and so they haven’t been capable of keep on a constant pattern. Following the Bruins’ 5-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night time, their third in a row, a change behind the bench appeared imminent, at the least to WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin.
Associated: Bruins Half Methods With Head Coach Jim Montgomery
After initially being reported by Wealthy Keefe of WEEI earlier within the day, Boston cancelled Montgomery’s media availability for Tuesday afternoon, and even cancelled observe in keeping with Ty Anderson of 98.5 the Sports activities Hub who made the announcement on Monday, resulting in hypothesis that one thing was awry.
The Bruins won’t observe tomorrow.
— Ty Anderson (@_TyAnderson) November 19, 2024
So, anyway, who’s Joe Sacco?
Sacco Has Expertise Elsewhere AND Throughout the Bruins Group
Sacco has been with the Bruins since he was employed as an assistant coach to then-head coach Claude Julien in 2014, so he’s been across the group for some time. He served as an assistant underneath three totally different head coaches (Julien included) and the ready has lastly paid off.
Sacco beforehand coached within the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Lake Erie Monsters (now Cleveland Monsters) from 2007 to 2009 the place he held a file of 60-79-21 and by no means certified for the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Following his time within the AHL, Sacco received his first alternative within the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche the place he stayed from 2009 via 2013. In his first season, he led the Avs to the Stanley Cup Playoffs because the eighth seed, however they had been subsequently knocked out within the first spherical by the San Jose Sharks. That was the primary (and final) time Colorado made the playoffs underneath Sacco, nevertheless.
Sacco was the coach there for 3 extra years and solely completed above .500 one different time. He completed with a file of 130-134-30.
Joe Sacco the Participant
As a participant, Sacco performed hockey for Medford Excessive Faculty in Massachusetts the place he performed in a mixed 41 video games for the Mustangs over two seasons. He scored 52 objectives, and assisted on one other 62. Probably the most spectacular statistic of all is that he didn’t commit a single penalty. Following his last season, he entered the 1987 NHL Entry Draft and was picked 71st total by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Regardless of being drafted, Sacco went on to play for Boston College for 3 seasons. With the Terriers, he performed in a mixed 111 video games, scoring 63 objectives and racking up 65 assists. He was on the 1992 United States Olympic Staff roster and made it to the bronze medal sport.
Sacco completed his profession enjoying in 13 seasons the place he amassed 738 video games performed, 94 objectives, and 119 assists. He performed for the Maple Leafs, the Mighty Geese of Anaheim (now Anaheim Geese), the Washington Capitals, and the Philadelphia Flyers. He additionally represented the US eight instances, together with his greatest end coming when he gained a bronze medal on the 1996 World Championship.
How Lengthy Will He Final?
Sacco has been across the group for 10 years, so there’s a likelihood he may very well be round for somewhat bit longer than simply the tip of the season.
Given how Boston has began the season, nevertheless, the onus might be on Sacco to win over the locker room if he’s to have his interim tag eliminated on the finish of the season – one thing that Montgomery appeared to have misplaced as of late.
