“Want to thank for all his work” – Bruce Cassidy fired as Boston Bruins coach after six seasons

“Want to thank for all his work” – Bruce Cassidy fired as Boston Bruins coach after six seasons

Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy

The Boston Bruins have fired Bruce Cassidy as the head coach after six seasons on Monday. Notably, Boston (51-26-5) qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of these six years but lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games of the Eastern Conference First Round this edition. 

Former Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Cassidy was 245-108-46, and 36-37 in the playoffs, including the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, where the Bruins lost 3-4 to the St. Louis Blues in seven games.

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“Today I informed Bruce Cassidy that I was making a head coaching change,” Boston general manager Don Sweeney said, as quoted by NHL.com. “After 14 years working with Bruce, this was an extremely difficult decision. I want to thank and acknowledge Bruce for all his work and success with the Bruins organization. His head coaching record for the Bruins is impressive, and we are appreciative of Bruce both professionally and personally.”

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“Direction of our team would benefit from new voice”

Boston Bruins' players
Boston Bruins’ players

The Ottawa native Cassidy was named Bruins coach on February 7, 2017, after eight seasons with Providence of the American Hockey League, including five as head coach. The 57-year-old is 292-155-53 with nine ties in 509 games in eight National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the Bruins and the Washington Capitals. 

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Cassidy is now the fifth coach to be fired since the regular season ended. Earlier, Jeff Blashill by the Detroit Red Wings (April 30), Mike Yeo by the Philadelphia Flyers (May 3), Barry Trotz by the New York Islanders (May 9) and Peter DeBoer by the Vegas Golden Knights (May 16) were removed by their respective sides. 

Sweeney added: “After taking some time to fully digest everything, I felt that the direction of our team for both this season and beyond would benefit from a new voice.

“I want to wish Bruce, Julie, Shannon and Cole much success as a family and with their future opportunities.”

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