Don Sweeney & Cam Neely (© Eric Bolte-Imagn Images)While speaking with Jim McBride of The Boston Globe, general manager Don Sweeney confirmed that the Boston Bruins will keep Chris Kelly and Jay Leach as assistant coaches. In addition, Sweeney shared that goalie coach Bob Essensa will also be sticking around.
When a team hires a new head coach during the off-season, sometimes an entirely new staff of assistant coaches is brought in, too. However, with this update from Sweeney, Kelly, Leach, and Essensa aren't going anywhere.
Kelly has been an assistant coach with the Bruins since the 2021-22 season. He also played in 288 games over six seasons with the Bruins as a player, posting 43 goals and 101 points.
Leach just completed his first season as an assistant coach with the Bruins. The 45-year-old was also among the finalists for the Bruins' head coaching job before they went with Sturm.
As for Essensa, he has been the Bruins' goaltending coach since 2003, so it is not surprising that he will be back next season.
Sweeney also shared that the Bruins will be hiring another assistant coach due to former interim head coach Joe Sacco no longer being with the organization. Sacco was hired as an assistant coach by the New York Rangers shortly after the Bruins announced Sturm as their new head coach.
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