Ryan Warsofsky, former Chicago Wolves coach, now San Jose Sharks coach originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
The San Jose Sharks have promoted assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky to the role of head coach.
Warsofsky will take over a team that finished with the worst record in the NHL last season, but he will do so before a huge NHL Draft that will see the Sharks pick first overall for the first time in their history.
“I am overwhelmed by the gratitude and enthusiasm for being named head coach of the San Jose Sharks,” he said in a statement. “This is a tremendous opportunity to continue to be part of a respected organization, and my family and I could not be more excited about this next chapter.”
Warsofsky previously coached the Chicago Wolves of the AHL guiding the team to the Calder Cup championship in 2022. That season, the Wolves won 50 games and won the Central Division title, then advanced through the postseason before dispatching the Thunderbirds in five games to capture the league title.
Following that success, Warsofsky accepted a position on the Sharks’ coaching staff, working primarily with the team’s penalty kill unit and its defense, according to a press release.
After two seasons, Warsofsky will become the 11thth coach in the team’s history and will aim to turn around its fortunes after several difficult seasons.
Fortunately for Warsofsky, the Sharks hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. They are expected to take Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini. He is the youngest player in NCAA history to win the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best player in men’s hockey. He scored 32 goals and 32 assists in 38 games for the Terriers.
He is expected to make the jump to the NHL in the 2024-25 season.
The 2024 draft will be held at The Sphere in Las Vegas starting June 28, with coverage starting at 6pm Central on ESPN.
