

Jay Leach is a finalist for the Boston Bruins vacant head coaching position, a league source granted anonymity to discuss conversations regarding hockey operations personnel told The Athletic.
Leach had an in-person interview on Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena.
Leach, 45, recently concluded his first season as a Bruins assistant coach in charge of the defense. The Bruins hired Leach to join Jim Montgomery’s staff after he spent the previous three years as Dave Hakstol’s assistant with the Seattle Kraken. Hakstol was replaced by Dan Bylsma.
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The Bruins allowed 3.30 goals per game in 2024-25, No. 26 in the NHL. Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm, the team’s top two defensemen, were limited to 50 and 17 games, respectively, because of injuries. The Bruins expect McAvoy (shoulder) and Lindholm (patella) to be at full health for training camp.
Leach was Providence’s head coach for four seasons before his three-year stretch in Seattle. He was also a Providence assistant for one year under Kevin Dean.
During his time in Providence, Leach coached McAvoy, Jakub Lauko and Jeremy Swayman. Other ex-Bruins who played for Leach in Providence include Noel Acciari, Connor Clifton, Jake DeBrusk, Trent Frederic, Matt Grzelcyk, Danton Heinen, Sean Kuraly, Jeremy Lauzon, Jack Studnicka and Dan Vladar.
Leach joins Mitch Love and Marco Sturm as other confirmed finalists for the vacancy. Love completed his in-person interview on Wednesday, according to the source. Sturm is scheduled for his in-person interview on Friday.
The standing of interim coach Joe Sacco is unknown. General manager Don Sweeney previously said Sacco would be part of a final group of candidates.
Leach shares profiles with Love, 40, and Sturm, 46, as up-and-comers with no NHL head coaching experience. They are known as being sharp communicators who can engage with young players.
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
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