The Boston Bruins made a big decision on Tuesday (Nov. 19), firing Jim Montgomery from their head coach position. Joe Sacco is now the Bruins’ interim head coach and will look to get this underachieving team back on track.
With Sacco as the Bruins’ new coach, let’s examine some facts about the club’s new bench boss.
Sacco Has Previous Experience As NHL Coach
Sacco has been with the Bruins organization since the 2014-15 season. For the first ten seasons of his time with the Original Six club, Sacco was an assistant coach. He was promoted as the Bruins’ associate coach for this season, but now he will be the main guy in charge behind the bench.
Before joining the Bruins, Sacco was the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche from 2009-10 to 2012-13. Over that span, he had a 130-134-30 record. He also was the head coach of the Lake Erie Monsters and an assistant coach of the Lowell Lock Monsters before becoming the bench boss for Colorado.
Sacco Had A Long NHL Career As A Player
Before becoming a coach, Sacco played in the NHL. After being drafted 71st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1987, Sacco went on to play 13 seasons in the NHL.
In 738 career NHL games split between the Maple Leafs, Anaheim Mighty Ducks, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers, Sacco had 94 goals, 119 assists, and 213 points.
Sacco Grew Up In Massachusetts & Played At BU
Sacco may have been an assistant coach of the Bruins for several years, but that is not his only connection to Massachusetts. Sacco is a Medford, Massachusetts native.
Sacco also spent his collegiate career at Boston University, where he was an important offensive contributor. In 111 games at BU, he had 63 goals and 128 points.
