Sharks promote Ryan Warsofsky to head coach

The San Jose Sharks promoted Ryan Warsofsky to be their new head coach on Thursday.

Warsofsky, 36, spent the past two seasons as an assistant under David Quinn, who was fired in April.

"We're very excited to announce Ryan as the 11th head coach of the San Jose Sharks," general manager Mike Grier said. "His track record of success at nearly every level of hockey as a head and assistant coach speaks for itself. Ryan knows our existing group well, has the respect of the players who he will be working with, and will be a great teacher for the young players who will be joining our organization."

The Sharks are coming off their worst season of this century, finishing 19-54-9 for an NFL-worst 47 points.

Warsofsky's responsibilities on Quinn's staff included overseeing the team's defense and penalty kill.

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement to be named as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks," Warsofsky said. "This a tremendous opportunity to continue to be part of a well-respected organization, and my family and I couldn't be more excited for this next chapter. I want to thank our owner Hasso Plattner, president Jonathan Becher, general manager Mike Grier and assistant GMs Tom Holy and Joe Will for their trust in me. This is an organization that has a rich history of winning, and I can't wait to get to work on coaching a team that our fans can be proud of."

Warsofsky joined the Sharks after two seasons as head coach of the American Hockey League's Chicago Wolves from 2020-22, winning the Calder Cup in 2022. Before that he coached the AHL's Charlotte Checkers in 2019-20.

The Sharks have not been to the Stanley Cup Playoffs since reaching the 2019 Western Conference finals.