BOSTON – Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney announced today, November 19, that the team has relieved Jim Montgomery of his duties as Head Coach. Associate Coach Joe Sacco will assume interim head coaching duties. Montgomery has been Head Coach of the team since July 1, 2022.

Statement from General Manager Don Sweeney

“Today I made a very difficult decision regarding a coaching change. Jim Montgomery is a very good NHL coach and an even better person. He has made a positive impact within the Bruins organization, and I am grateful and grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from him. Jim’s achievements as Bruins head coach include a record-breaking and historic season, and I would like to thank his entire family and wish him, Emily, JP, Colin, Ava and Olivia the best of luck and happiness in their next opportunity. Our team’s inconsistency and performance through the first twenty games of the 2024-2025 season was concerning and below par for how the Bruins want to reward our fans. I believe Joe Sacco has the coaching experience to get the players and team focused again on the consistent effort the NHL needs to be successful. We will continue to make the necessary adjustments to meet the standard and performance our supportive fans expect.”

Statement from President Cam Neely

“On behalf of the Boston Bruins, we thank Jim Montgomery for his achievements and impact on our organization. Jim’s open and honest communication with players, staff and management, as well as the positive attitude he brought to the rink every day, have helped our franchise achieve several on-ice accolades, including a historic 65-win season in 2022-2023 . We wish Jim and his family the best for the future, both personally and professionally. I support Don’s decision to address our current play and performance. Joe Sacco has a wealth of experience and knowledge of our roster and can help lead our team in the right direction. He has a deep understanding of our standards and expectations, and I trust he will do everything he can to achieve our organization’s goals this season.”

Interim head coach Joe Sacco’s biography
Sacco is in his 11th grade^e season behind the Bruins bench, where he most recently served as Associate Coach. He previously served as assistant coach from 2014 to 2024.

Before joining the Bruins organization, Sacco served as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabers in 2013-14, and as head coach for the Colorado Avalanche from 2009-13, where he compiled an overall record of 130-134-40. In 2010, he was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award, presented annually to the coach who has contributed the most to his team’s success, after leading the Avalanche to a 43-30 record in his first season at the helm -9 had led. Sacco also previously held various coaching positions in the American Hockey League (AHL) from 2004-2009, with the Lake Erie Monsters, Albany River Rats and Lowell Lock Monsters.

The native of Melrose, Massachusetts, was a fourth-round NHL draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs out of Boston University. In 738 career NHL games with Philadelphia, Washington, NY Islanders, Anaheim and Toronto, the forward recorded 94 goals and 119 assists for 213 points over 13 NHL seasons.