On Sunday, San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky helped lead Team USA to its first gold medal at the IIHF World Championship in 92 years.
Tage Thompson scored the overtime winner for the Americans to beat Switzerland 1-0.
“What an absolutely amazing feeling,” Warsofsky said postgame. “Everyone in our group contributed to winning the gold medal. We beat an excellent team in Switzerland tonight and full credit to them for the tournament they had. On behalf of our team, I’d also like to thank all the people who helped put on the world championship. We’ll remember this for a long, long time.”
After just a 20-win season with the Sharks, Warsofsky put on his gold medal, smiled, and was seen laughing as he said, “It’s heavy.”
USA was the youngest team in the 2025 tournament, and after some bumps in the preliminary round, Warsofsky could implement an identity. The San Jose Sharks finally found line combinations that created success.
Warsofsky created a third line of Cutter Gauthier, Shane Pinto, and Sharks forward Will Smith. By doing that, he allowed his players to have familiarity with every linemate.
Warsofsky’s connection to younger players gives him a case to be on the Olympic staff
With an average roster age of 24, San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky connected perfectly with his Team USA players.
For the first time ever, USA Hockey has won gold at the World Juniors in back-to-back years, and now it has won gold at the World Championship with the youngest team. The age of USA’s top players is getting younger, and Warsofsky is proving he’s a fit to lead them.
New York Rangers coach Mike Sullivan has already been named the head coach of Team USA for the 2026 Olympics, which benefits the Sharks’ bench boss. Sullivan and Warsofsky have a long-time life connection, as Sullivan’s parents are Warsofsky’s Godparents.
At the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off, Team USA’s coaching staff was strong. John Tortorella was part of the staff at 4 Nations. He was shortly fired as coach of the Philadelphia Flyers late in the NHL regular season. The San Jose Sharks head coach is in a prime position to earn a spot on the staff.
Warsofsky has relied upon his fellow NHL coaching friends to navigate him through his first season as a head coach. The next step is developing his identity as a leader, which he proved is happening by winning gold.
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