Unexpected finalist emerges in Boston Bruins’ head coaching search

Jay Leach met with the Boston Bruins in person and has emerged as a surprise finalist in the team’s ongoing coaching search

Bruins expand list of coaching candidates after May 29 interview with Jay Leach.

The Boston Bruins still haven’t named their next head coach, but the list of finalists is evolving, and now includes someone deeply familiar with the organization.

While names like Marco Sturm, Jay Woodcroft, and Mitch Love have dominated the early buzz, another contender has stepped forward: Jay Leach.

According to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa, Leach had an in-person meeting with the Bruins on May 29. A source told Shinzawa that Leach is now considered one of the finalists for the job.

A familiar figure who knows the Bruins from the inside

Leach’s presence in the conversation isn’t all that surprising when you consider his background.

He served as Boston’s assistant coach this past season, offering him up-close experience with the current roster.

Prior to that, he led the Providence Bruins as head coach from 2017 through 2021, working hands-on with several players who are now key contributors at the NHL level.

That familiarity with both the system and the personalities inside the room gives Leach a distinct edge over external candidates.

He understands the team’s identity and the culture it values, because he helped build it.

Seattle chapter added to Leach’s coaching credentials 

After his time in Providence, Leach spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken from 2021 through 2024.

He worked primarily with the club’s defense and penalty kill during their formative years, helping shape the group’s early identity.

Those years provided valuable NHL experience that rounds out his resume beyond his AHL development work.

His time with both veteran pros and emerging talents makes him a flexible candidate, someone who can bridge the Bruins’ present and future.

Bruins weighing experience, continuity, and long-term fit

While Leach’s name is now in the mix, Boston’s front office still has several options on the table.

Sturm brings a wealth of international and assistant coaching experience. Woodcroft has led playoff teams.

Love has turned heads with his rapid rise in the AHL.

Leach, however, offers something a bit different: a deep connection to the Bruins organization, recent NHL bench experience, and a proven history of developing players within their own system.

As the search continues, one thing is clear, the Bruins aren’t rushing.

They’re evaluating not just resumes, but fit. And Leach, with everything he brings to the table, may be exactly what they’re looking for.