Boston Bruins Name Jay Leach Head Coach for 2025 Season Following In-Person Interview at Warrior Ice Arena
The Boston Bruins have officially announced that assistant coach Jay Leach will take over as head coach for the 2025 NHL season.
The decision comes after an extensive interview process, culminating in a final in-person interview Thursday at Warrior Ice Arena in Brighton.
Leach, a former Bruins assistant and Providence Bruins head coach, now steps into the top role with the full support of the front office, ownership, and locker room.
Leach’s promotion represents a new era for the Bruins, who are seeking to maintain their status as perennial Stanley Cup contenders while evolving under fresh leadership. Known for his tactical intelligence, player development skills, and calm demeanor, Leach has long been viewed as a rising star in the coaching ranks. His appointment marks a full-circle moment with the Bruins organization, where he’s built deep relationships and earned respect throughout his years in the system.
General Manager Don Sweeney expressed confidence in the hire, stating, “Jay understands the culture and expectations that come with being part of the Boston Bruins. He’s proven himself at every level, and we believe he’s the right person to lead this team into its next chapter.”
Leach’s coaching journey began shortly after he retired from playing professionally. He served as an assistant coach for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and later moved on to the Providence Bruins, where he was named head coach in 2017. Over four seasons in Providence, Leach led the team to consistent success and became known for his ability to develop young talent — a trait the Bruins will value highly as they transition in the post-Bergeron and post-Krejci era.
In 2021, Leach left Providence to become an assistant coach with the Seattle Kraken during their inaugural season. There, he played a key role in developing the team’s defensive structure and special teams. His return to Boston as an assistant coach last year paved the way for this promotion, as the Bruins clearly saw in him the leadership qualities needed at the helm.
The timing of Leach’s hiring is significant, as the Bruins face a number of challenges heading into the 2025 season. Key players like David Pastrňák, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman form the core of a roster that remains talented but will need cohesion and vision to compete with rising powers in the Eastern Conference. Leach’s familiarity with the organization’s philosophy and personnel gives him a distinct advantage in forging that unity quickly.
Leach will be formally introduced as head coach in a press conference scheduled for early next week. Until then, Bruins fans can look ahead with optimism, knowing that a steady and strategic voice will guide the team from behind the bench.
With his roots firmly planted in Boston, a deep knowledge of the team’s identity, and the trust of both players and management, Jay Leach now gets his long-awaited shot at leading the Original Six franchise — one ready to write its next chapter under his command.
