EXCLUSIVE: Boughner Talks Sharks’ Tenure, Controversial Firing, Coaching Kane
Bob Boughner bears no grudge against the San Jose Sharks.
Boughner, who became Sharks head coach in Dec. 2019, was let go under some controversy in Jul. 2022, mainly because of the timing of it.
The San Jose Sharks’ season had ended in April, but Boughner, assistant coaches John Madden and John MacLean, and video coach Dan Darrow had to watch many an NHL job go by until they were officially let go on Jul. 1, on the eve of the hiring of new GM Mike Grier.
“In our world, in our scope of job, you’d like to have that opportunity to be able to talk to other teams, and it was too late in the game for that,” Boughner told San Jose Hockey Now. “But at the end of the day, I hold no grudges.”
Boughner, however, was able to land a position on Derek Lalonde’s new Detroit Red Wings staff as associate coach. He returns to SAP Center tomorrow night, as the 7-5-4 Wings are in town to take on his old team.
Boughner spoke exclusively with SJHN, in his first interview about his time as San Jose Sharks bench boss. He was also an assistant coach under Peter DeBoer during the Sharks’ Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016.
Boughner shared his thoughts about how he and his staff were let go by the Sharks, what he’s proudest of during his tenure as Sharks head coach, what it was like to coach Evander Kane, the challenge of integrating so many young players into the San Jose line-up over the last three years, and if he still wants to be an NHL head coach.
This interview was lightly edited for length and clarity.
