Ryan Warsofsky was officially introduced as the new head coach of the San Jose Sharks on June 17. The 36-year-old Massachusetts native was lauded by both General Manager Mike Grier and Team President Jonathan Becher for his winning record and his commitment and passion for San Jose.
Becher shared that it was a broad search for coaches, with some people reaching out to him via their agents. But the team stuck with the process and it narrowed down to Ryan fairly quickly.
“Ultimately, Ryan really separated himself from the pack. Yes, for all the hockey reasons. His game plan, preparation, his attention to detail and frankly, the fact that he’s been a very successful head coach before,” said Becher. “But it’s beyond that. Ryan’s communication style; his authentic way of dealing with everybody. His deep knowledge of the situation that we’re in right now. And frankly, Ryan, one thing that really stood out in that last time we talked is your passion for San Jose and the community. You are authentically a shark.”
Grier also highlighted Warsofsky’s communication skills as one of the reasons why he chose the man who is now the youngest head coach in the NHL.
“We talked to a good amount of people. We wanted to be thorough and make sure that we were checking all the boxes that need to be checked,” said Grier. “You can see it today. You can see the passion, the emotion that Ryan has, and that meant a lot to me and the staff. That’s, at the end of the day, that’s what matters. You need to care; you need that passion. You need your team to play that way.
“It’s an 82 game season. It’s a long season, and we have to play with emotion and play with energy, and I think those things really resonate with me,” continued Grier. “The fact he’s won. He’s always won whatever level he’s been at. And he’s a great communicator, which is going to be important.
“We’re gonna have a young group here, and connecting and speaking with and bonding with these young players is going to be it’s going to be super important,” said Grier. “It’s going to be a big, big part of us taking the next step forward. So he just checked every box there was. Then, on top of that, he’s a great human being, and a great person and that’s what we’re striving to have in this organization as much as possible.”
Warsofsky thanks his family, reflects on his journey
Warsofsky thanked several people in the Sharks organization before singling out the others who helped him along the way. He paid tribute to his agent, Neil Glasberg, who was at the news conference. He also thanked TJ Manastersky, who gave him a start coaching Division III hockey at Curry College. Warsofsky then choked up when he talked about his first step into professional hockey.
“Sorry, I’m a little emotional because this just … I wear it right on my sleeve as you’ll, probably will see,” said Warsofsky, who then had to pause to compose himself. “I emailed the guy when my first year was done at Curry. It was an assistant job opened in South Carolina and ECHL Rob Concannon, who’s here, I emailed them. 10 minutes later, he called me changed my life forever.
“So he’s got some sprinkled dust down there because he’s hired three NHL head coaches in Jared Bednar and Spencer Carberry. He’s one of my great friends, loved Spencer Carberry,” continued Warsofsky. “Like I mentioned, I worked for him for three years head coach in Washington right now. He’s the man that molded me into the coach I am today, so I really thank Spence. He’s one of my best friends, has had a huge impact in my coaching career, and I can’t thank him enough.”
He thanked Mike Vellucci, who hired him in Charlotte even though he didn’t know Warsofsky. And he thanked former Sharks Head Coach David Quinn.
“He’s a great man; he’s a great coach. Along with Mike, he brought me here two years ago. I need to thank Quinny,” said Warsofsky. “He’s a really good man. He’s a good friend and I learned a lot from him. I’ll be forever grateful for him taking a chance to bring me to the National Hockey League here in San Jose.”
Warsofsky mentioned Rod Brind’Amour, Bednar and Mike Sullivan as mentors.
“Mike Sullivan, who got me started into coaching when I was 16 years old,” said Warsofsky. “He was coaching the Boston Bruins, and I go in there and you know, try to learn from him; to be a sponge. To this day, he’s a phone call away and always gonna support me. So, I have to thank Sally and Pittsburgh.”
And then he choked up again, talking about the people who supported him the most along the way, his family. His parents were there, as well as his wife, Caroline, who has been with him since his days at Curry College, and their two young children.
“I think in whatever we do in life, we all have a why,” said Warsofsky. “My why is I love to win. I love to win. It’s what drives me. I love being in a locker room after a game seeing the team celebrate together. I love seeing individuals have success and grow and develop and reach their goals that they never thought were possible. I love all that stuff that’s really important to me, but my real why is my kids.
“When I’m not there a lot and after a tough loss or a tough road trip. They’re there to greet me at the door with a big smile on their face. They’re the reasons why I do this,” continued Warsofsky.
