Former defenceman hired by the Bruins as assistant coach
Jay Leach is returning to the Boston Bruins organization for his third stint, this time as an assistant coach for the 2024-25 NHL season. The Bruins also announced Joe Sacco’s promotion to associate coach.
Leach’s history with the Bruins dates back to the 2003-04 season when he played three games for their AHL affiliate, the Providence Bruins. He made his NHL debut in the 2005-06 season, appearing in two games for Boston without scoring any points.
After playing for four more teams over the next five years, Leach retired as the captain of the Albany Devils in the 2013-14 AHL season. He began his coaching career with Adler Mannheim in the DEL as an assistant coach, followed by a similar role with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In the 2016-17 season, Leach returned to the Bruins as an assistant coach for Providence, eventually becoming the head coach.
Leach’s coaching success in Providence, where his team had a 136-77-26 record, led to his hiring as an assistant coach for the Seattle Kraken. Following a disappointing 2023-24 season, the Kraken allowed Leach to seek other opportunities.
Meanwhile, Joe Sacco has been promoted after a decade as an assistant coach for the Bruins, during which the team reached one Stanley Cup Final and won two Presidents’ Trophies as the top regular-season team.