The Bruins announced several changes to their hockey operations staff on Monday, including the hiring of John McLean as their new assistant coach.
Storylines to watch for Bruins training camp
Boston had an opening on its coaching staff since July when John Gruden left to become the head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Maple Leafs.
Gruden was in charge of the Bruins' defense and power play, but McLean is not expected to be a one-for-one replacement. Head coach Jim Montgomery told the Boston Herald last month that the new hire would take on more of an eye-in-the-sky role and also work on in-season player development. Joe Sacco is expected to take over the defense, while Chris Kelly will now take the lead on the power play.
McLean spent last season as a skills and skating consultant for the Bruins while also serving as the head coach for the boys hockey team at Austin Prep. The Boston College alum was previously the head coach at Malden Catholic and an assistant coach at Merrimack College. He co-founded Dynamic Skating in 2010 alongside skating consultant Tom Ford and former Bruins skills and skating coach Kim Brandvold.
The other hires announced by the Bruins were Dan Darrow as assistant video coordinator, Josh Pohlkamp-Hartt as associate director of hockey analytics, Campbell Weaver as director of hockey systems, Derek MacKinnon as pro scout, and Milan Jurcina as European scout. Jurcina played two seasons with the Bruins from 2005-07 as part of a seven-year NHL career.
The Bruins open training camp on Wednesday.