Sharks granted special permission to interview rivals coach

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Josh Tupper
May 23, 2024 (9:54)

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The San Jose Sharks are in the middle of their search for a new coach after firing former coach David Quinn go nearly one month ago.

An ideal candidate has been on General Manager Mike Grier's radar for the young Sharks, who will pick first overall in the June NHL Entry Draft. A well-known figure to San Jose Sharks supporters is one of the applicants Grier is apparently scheduled to interview for the position.

The Los Angeles Kings have given the San Jose Sharks permission to speak with former first-round pick and seasoned NHL player Marco Sturm, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

"Hearing that the Sharks have sought and received permission from the Kings to speak with Marco Sturm as part of their coaching search process " Pierre LeBrun said in a post on X.

Sturm, 45, was transferred to the Boston Bruins in the Joe Thornton trade in 2005 after being chosen 21st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to play in 553 career games over the course of eight seasons. Sturm scored 273 points in the 553 games with San Jose (128 goals, 145 assists).

After retiring from the playing field, Sturm focused on coaching. In 2015, he became Head Coach and General Manager of the German national team. Germany lost to Russia in the gold medal game of the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, despite Sturm's leadership.

NHL organizations started to take notice of him when he performed well with Germany on the international scene. He was hired as an assistant coach by the Los Angeles Kings later in 2018, a position he would hold until 2022. He then managed the bench for the team's American Hockey League affiliate, the Ontario Reign, for the final two seasons.

Although it's not entirely known who else the Sharks intend to interview for the head coaching position, Marco Sturm would undoubtedly be a formidable opponent. Despite his youthful age of 45, he has a wealth of bench experience, and Sturm would be well suited to the young core of the Sharks, which will include Macklin Celebrini.