The Boston Bruins have added Matt McIlvane to their coaching staff as an assistant coach. The move reunites him with head coach Marco Sturm, a former colleague from the 2018 Olympics. McIlvane joins for the 2026-27 season.
The Bruins announced the hiring on Thursday. McIlvane previously served as head coach of the San Diego Gulls in the American Hockey League, where his team posted a 33-27-8-4 record in 2025-26 and reached the Calder Cup playoffs.
Sturm and McIlvane first worked together with Germany’s national team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. They guided the squad to a silver medal, the country’s first Olympic hockey medal since 1976.
McIlvane spent a decade coaching in Europe. He won three straight DEL titles with EHC München from 2016 to 2018 and back-to-back ICE Hockey League championships with EC Red Bull Salzburg in 2022 and 2023.
“Sometimes you get a new opportunity, and you just feel ready,” McIlvane said. “I’ve seen so many different things at the American Hockey League level.”
Sturm praised McIlvane’s ability to connect with players. “I knew he would be a really good fit not just for me, but also for this organization,” Sturm said.
McIlvane, his wife Megan, and their two children are relocating to Boston. He will work alongside assistants Chris Kelly and Steve Spott and goaltending coach Bob Essensa.