As the Boston Bruins continue their search for a new head coach, one of the most highly regarded names on the market, David Carle, has made his decision—and it’s official: he will not be heading to Boston.
Earlier this season, the Bruins parted ways with head coach Jim Montgomery, appointing assistant coach Joe Sacco as interim head coach. At the team’s end-of-season press conference, GM Don Sweeney confirmed the organization is actively searching for a new bench boss, with Sacco still in the running for the permanent role.
David Carle, head coach of the University of Denver men’s hockey team, had quickly emerged as a top candidate—not just for Boston, but for several NHL openings. With Mike Sullivan recently accepting a position in New York, Carle’s name gained even more traction among Bruins fans and analysts.
However, it’s now confirmed: David Carle will remain in the NCAA, continuing to lead the Denver Pioneers. Carle has built an impressive resume at the collegiate level, holding a career record of 179-74-17. During the 2024–25 season, he posted a 32-12-1 record and guided Denver to the NCAA Frozen Four for the second consecutive year.
Carle, who became the youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s hockey history at age 28, was named head coach of Denver on May 25, 2018. He previously served as an assistant under Jim Montgomery and helped guide the team to the 2017 national championship.