Ryan Warsofsky Named Sharks HC to Replace David Quinn; SJ Has No. 1 Pick in NHL Draft | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

The San Jose Sharks named Ryan Warsofsky as their new head coach Thursday, replacing David Quinn.

Warsofsky spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach in San Jose after previously serving as a head coach in the AHL for the Charlotte Checkers and Chicago Wolves.

Quinn lasted just two seasons as the Sharks' head coach, going 41-98-25. San Jose had an NHL-low 47 points this season, which helped them secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier commented on the decision to elevated Warsofsky to head coach, saying:

"We're very excited to announce Ryan as the 11th head coach of the San Jose Sharks. 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."

Warsofsky also expressed excitement over his first head coaching opportunity at the NHL level:

"I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement to be named as the head coach of the San Jose Shark. 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 GM's 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."

While the Sharks seemingly have a long rebuild ahead of them, selecting highly touted forward Macklin Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick could kick-start things after he registered 64 points in 38 games at Boston University this past season.

The 36-year-old Warsofsky has enjoyed enormous success working with young players in the past, which suggests he may be the right man for the job in San Jose.

During his time in the AHL, Warsofsky was an assistant coach for the Checkers team that won the Calder Cup in 2018, and he was the head coach when the Wolves posted the AHL's best record and won the Calder Cup in 2022.

Although Warsofsky has a long road ahead of him in terms of making the Sharks playoff contenders again, the organization has enjoyed a great deal of success over the years.

The Sharks entered the NHL as an expansion team in 1991 and made it to the playoffs by their third season. Overall, San Jose has made 21 playoff appearances in 32 years.

That includes a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016, which the Sharks lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Their current five-year playoff drought is the longest in team history, and while it is difficult to envision it ending in the next year or two, the Sharks seemingly believe they have found the right coach to guide them back to relevancy.