List of Boston Bruins head coaches explained

The Boston Bruins, a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, has had 29 head coaches in its team history.[1] The franchise is a member of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The franchise was founded in 1924 and entered the NHL as the first American-based expansion team, playing its initial seasons at the still-active Boston Arena.[2] [3] It is an Original Six team, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks.[1] Its home arena is the 17,565-person capacity TD Garden, where it has played since 1995, after leaving the Boston Garden.[1]

Art Ross served three terms as the Bruins head coach. Ross, Lynn Patrick, and Milt Schmidt have all been inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Harry Sinden, Gerry Cheevers, Tom Johnson and Frank Patrick are Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and spent their entire coaching careers with the Bruins. Cooney Weiland, Dit Clapper, Terry O'Reilly, Steve Kasper and Mike O'Connell also coached only for the Bruins,[4] [5] [6] [7] with Mike Sullivan taking over as head coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 12, 2015.[8]

Statistically, Tom Johnson was the most successful head coach, with a winning percentage of .738. He is followed by Harry Sinden, who, averaging his two terms, had a winning percentage of .689. The worst head coach statistically was Phil Watson, who, with a winning percentage of .268, only won 16 out of the 84 games he coached. Claude Julien took over after Dave Lewis was dismissed in 2007.[9] Bruce Cassidy succeeded Julien on February 7, 2017, and served as head coach until his firing on June 6, 2022.[10] On June 30, 2022, the Bruins named Jim Montgomery head coach, replacing Cassidy.[11]

Key

Number of coaches
GCGames coached
WWins
LLosses
T/OTTies or overtime losses
Win%Winning percentage
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame
Spent entire professional head coaching career with the Bruins.
Elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame and spent entire professional head coaching career with the Bruins.

Coaches

NameTermRegular seasonPlayoffsChampionships/awards wonReference
GCWLT/OTWin%GCWLT
1 Art Ross430 214 161 55 .497 311412 5 [12]
2 Frank Patrick *† 96 48 36 12 .563 6 2 4 0 [13]
Art Ross* 144 89 39 16 .674 18 9 9 0 Stanley Cup championship (1939)
3 Cooney Weiland96 58 20 18 .698 17 10 7 0 Stanley Cup championship (1941) [14]
Art Ross* 198 84 90 24 .485 21 9 12 0
4 Dit Clapper230 102 88 40 .530 25 8 17 0 [15]
5 70 22 32 16 .429 —||—— ||— [16]
6 Lynn Patrick310 117 130 63 .479 40 16 23 1 [17]
7 Milt Schmidt460 172 203 75 .455 34 15 19 0 [18]
8 84 16 55 13 .268 —||—— ||— [19]
Milt Schmidt* 266 73 157 46 .361 —||—||— ||—
9 Harry Sinden
296 136 105 55 .552 28 18 10 0 Stanley Cup championship (1970) [20]
10 Tom Johnson
208 142 43 23 .738 22 15 7 0 Stanley Cup championship (1972)[21]
11 104 72 23 9 .736 21 11 10 0 [22]
12 400 231 105 64 .658 55 31 24 0 Jack Adams Award winner (1976)[23]
13 73 40 20 13 .637 —||—— ||— [24]
Harry Sinden*† 7 6 1 0 .857 10 4 6 0
14 Gerry Cheevers
376 204 126 46 .604 34 15 19 0 [25]
Harry Sinden*† 24 11 10 3 .521 5 2 3 0
15 93 42 38 13 .522 3 0 3 0 [26]
16 Terry O'Reilly227 115 86 26 .564 37 17 19 1 [27]
17 160 90 49 21 .628 40 23 17 0 [28]
18 80 36 32 12 .525 15 8 7 0 [29]
19 216 120 73 23 .609 22 7 15 0 [30]
20 Steve Kasper164 66 78 20 .463 5 1 4 0 [31]
21 Pat Burns254 105 103 46 .504 18 8 10 0 Jack Adams Award winner (1998) [32]
22 74 33 34 7 .547 —||—— ||— [33]
23 155 76 65 14 .577 6 2 4 0 [34]
24 Mike O'Connell9 3 3 3 .500 5 1 4 0 [35]
25 164 70 79 15 .543 7 3 4 0 [36]
26 82 35 41 6 .463 [37]
27 759 419 246 94 .614 97 57 40 Stanley Cup championship (2011), Jack Adams Award winner (2009) [38]
28 399 245 108 46 .672 73 36 37 0 Jack Adams Award winner (2020) [39]
29 2022–present 164 112 32 20 .744 19 9 10 0 Jack Adams Award winner (2023) [40]

Notes

References

General

Specific

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Boston Bruins – History . 2008-06-29 . Lincoln Hockey and the National Hockey League . NHL.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080501130542/http://bruins.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=5489 . 2008-05-01 .
  2. Web site: Northeastern University Athletics Official Website . Gonu.com . March 18, 2011 . December 5, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101205024756/http://gonu.com/sports/2010/1/28/matthewsarena.aspx?id=204 . live .
  3. Web site: Katy Fitzpatrick . "New Season Brings Renovated Arena for Northeastern," USCHO.com, October 2, 2009 . Uscho.com . October 2, 2009 . March 18, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100109213027/http://www.uscho.com/news/college-hockey/id,17170/NUHuskieslookingforwardtorenovatedArenanewseason.html . January 9, 2010 .
  4. Web site: List of honored Builders. 2008-01-05. Hockey Hall of Fame. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090528120538/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMembersByYear.jsp?type=Builder. 2009-05-28.
  5. Web site: List of honored Officials. 2008-01-05. Hockey Hall of Fame. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070930080933/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMembersByYear.jsp?type=Official. 2007-09-30.
  6. Web site: List of honored Players. 2008-01-05. Hockey Hall of Fame. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090218151041/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMembersByYear.jsp?type=Player. 2009-02-18.
  7. Web site: List of honored Players by Position. 2008-01-06. Hockey Hall of Fame. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090218151041/http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMembersByYear.jsp?type=Player. 2009-02-18.
  8. Web site: Penguins fire Johnston, name Sullivan coach . Crosby . Wes . December 12, 2015 . nhl.com . National Hockey League . December 12, 2015 . The Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday fired coach Mike Johnston and replaced him with Mike Sullivan. . December 13, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151213213406/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=792341 . live .
  9. News: Dave Lewis ousted as Bruins coach . 2008-06-29 . 2007-06-15 . CBC Sports . cbc.ca . 2012-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102122536/http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/06/15/lewis-bruins-nhl.html . live .
  10. Web site: Bruins Relieve Bruce Cassidy Of Coaching Duties . NHL.com . June 8, 2022 . June 6, 2022 . June 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220606231920/https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-relieve-bruce-cassidy-of-coaching-duties/c-334507330 . live .
  11. Web site: 2022-07-01 . Jim Montgomery Named 29th Head Coach Of The Boston Bruins Boston Bruins . 2024-05-18 . www.nhl.com . en . 2024-05-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240518042101/https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/jim-montgomery-named-29th-head-coach-of-the-boston-bruins-334794392 . live .
  12. Web site: Art Ross. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20080807170531/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/rossar01c.html. live.
  13. Web site: Frank Patrick. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203190548/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/patrifr01c.html. live.
  14. Web site: Cooney Weiland. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203205509/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/weilaco01c.html. live.
  15. Web site: Dit Clapper. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-07-24. https://web.archive.org/web/20080724101005/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/clappdi01c.html. live.
  16. Web site: Georges Boucher. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-07-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20080720064801/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/bouchge01c.html. live.
  17. Web site: Lynn Patrick. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203205714/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/patrily01c.html. live.
  18. Web site: Milt Schmidt. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203210015/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/schmimi01c.html. live.
  19. Web site: Phil Watson. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203195931/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/watsoph01c.html. live.
  20. Web site: Harry Sinden. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203214032/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/sindeha01c.html. live.
  21. Web site: Tom Johnson. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20080830023247/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/johnsto01c.html. live.
  22. Web site: Bep Guidolin. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203205547/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/guidobe01c.html. live.
  23. Web site: Don Cherry. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-09-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20080905115200/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/cherrdo01c.html. live.
  24. Web site: Fred Creighton. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203210123/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/creigfr99c.html. live.
  25. Web site: Gerry Cheevers. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-10-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20081006114908/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/cheevge01c.html. live.
  26. Web site: Butch Goring. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20080906161624/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/gorinbu01c.html. live.
  27. Web site: Terry O'Reilly. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20080827230608/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/oreilte01c.html. live.
  28. Web site: Mike Milbury. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-10-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20081011093237/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/milbumi01c.html. live.
  29. Web site: Rick Bowness. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2022-05-21. https://web.archive.org/web/20220521130645/https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/bowneri01c.html. live.
  30. Web site: Brian Sutter. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2011-05-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20110519105139/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/suttebr01c.html. live.
  31. Web site: Steve Kasper. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20080830070735/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/kaspest01c.html. live.
  32. Web site: Pat Burns. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-09-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20080904224029/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/burnspa99c.html. live.
  33. Web site: Mike Keenan. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20080829124617/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/keenami99c.html. live.
  34. Web site: Robbie Ftorek. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-12-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20081203200739/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/ftorero01c.html. live.
  35. Web site: Mike O'Connell. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-09-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20080905130924/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/oconnmi01c.html. live.
  36. Web site: Mike Sullavin . 2008-06-28 . Hockeydb.com . 2008-12-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081222131310/http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=5244 . live .
  37. Web site: Dave Lewis. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2017-07-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20170706190506/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/lewisda02c.html. live.
  38. Web site: Claude Julien. 2008-06-28. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2019-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20190309030627/https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/juliecl01c.html. live.
  39. Web site: Bruce Cassidy. 2018-05-18. Sports Reference, LLC. Hockey-Reference.com. 2008-08-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20080829213938/http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/cassibr01c.html. live.
  40. Web site: Jim Montgomery . 2024-05-17 . Hockey-Reference.com . Sports Reference, LLC . 2018-07-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180706075555/https://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/montgji01c.html . live .