Jim McBride

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Jim McBride

BUFFALO — For Don Sweeney, it always came back to Marco Sturm’s passion. As the Bruins general manager sifted through the qualifications of the dozen candidates he interviewed for the club’s head coaching vacancy, Sturm’s exuberance stood out. Sturm’s spirit throughout the process, from his initial conversations with Sweeney and his assistants, right up until the day the sides agreed to a multiyear contract, resonated with those in the front office.

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Jim McBride

BUFFALO — Porter Martone’s education abroad was a lot different than what most teens experience. He was enrolled in a master class of hockey professionalism. While most of this year’s projected draft class prepped at their local rinks and gyms, the Peterborough, Ontario, native was lacing his Bauers up with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championships in Sweden and Denmark. “I mean it was pretty special. Got to go play with a bunch of NHL players [at] the World Championships.

2 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Jim McBride

BUFFALO — James Hagens is aware of the campaign. Though the Hauppauge, N.Y., native has no political aspirations — hockey is his platform — he is aware of the grass-roots support he’s received to get him back to his roots. “Bring Hagens Home,” bumper stickers have popped up all over Long Island in an effort to sway the Islanders, owners of the top pick in the NHL Draft, to select Hagens. “I think the first time I saw it was driving home from a workout and seeing someone’s bumper sticker.

3 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Jim McBride

BUFFALO — The compliments were flying back and forth with the speed and precision of a Bobby Orr-led power play. Swedish teens Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund took the stage together Friday at the NHL’s Scouting Combine, trading kudos while fielding questions from reporters. “Anton is a tank on the ice ... He has a shot like a missile,” said Eklund. “Victor wins every battle,” said Frondell.

3 weeks ago | bostonglobe.com | Jim McBride

The Bruins are bringing one of their own back into the fold. The club on Thursday named Marco Sturm its third coach in three seasons. Sturm played parts of five seasons in Boston after being acquired in the Joe Thornton trade early in the 2005-06 season. “I’m incredibly honored to be named head coach of the Boston Bruins,” Sturm said. “I want to thank [team CEO] Charlie Jacobs and the Jacobs family, [team president] Cam Neely, and [general manager] Don Sweeney for trusting me with this opportunity.