Belichick shares disappointed reaction to Bruins firing Bruce Cassidy

Bruins

Belichick shares disappointed reaction to Bruins firing Bruce Cassidy

Count Bill Belichick among those in New England sad to see Bruce Cassidy go.

The Boston Bruins fired their head coach Monday night, ending Cassidy’s five-plus seasons with the team. Cassidy led the Bruins to a playoff berth in each of those seasons and won 67.2 percent of his regular-season games, but general manager Don Sweeney and the Bruins decided it was time for a new voice.

Belichick was asked at Patriots minicamp Tuesday about the Bruins’ decision to part with Cassidy, who developed a good relationship with the New England head coach during his tenure in Boston.

Why Bruins firing Cassidy is a mistake and fails to address the real issue

“Sorry to see what happened with Bruce yesterday,” Belichick said. “Really enjoyed my relationship with him and will always support the Bruins, but he was a good friend and somebody I had a really good relationship with.

“Took the team to the playoffs and got pretty close the finals and all that. Understand what the business is, but just miss him.”

Belichick’s comments certainly won’t placate those who disagree with Cassidy’s firing. Belichick was quick to point out Cassidy’s strong track record — he led the Bruins to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2019 — and character off the ice.

Belichick was clearly a Cassidy fan and supported the Bruins throughout the head coach’s tenure, even attending Game 2 of the 2019 Stanley Cup Final and serving as the Bruins’ honorary fan banner captain.

If anyone is aware of the cruel business of professional sports, however, it’s Belichick. So, regardless of how he feels about Cassidy’s departure, he’ll be ready to support whoever the Bruins tab as Cassidy’s replacement.