San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky will coach the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Scheduled to take place from May 9 to 25, the tournament will hold games in Herning, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden. Team USA will compete in Group B. Alongside Team USA, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Norway, and Switzerland will play preliminary games in Herning.
Warsofsky is in his first season as Sharks head coach and one of the youngest coaches currently in the NHL. Previously a Sharks assistant coach from 2022–2024, he contributed to Erik Karlsson’s 2022–23 Norris Trophy-winning season.
Before his tenure in San Jose, Warsofsky led the AHL’s Chicago Wolves to a Calder Cup championship in 2022. This marked a historical moment for Warsofsky, becoming the youngest coach since 1999 to achieve this feat. He also held coaching positions with the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers and the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays. With the Stingrays, Warsofsky guided the team to a Kelly Cup Final appearance in 2017.
For the second straight year, a Sharks head coach was named Team USA’s bench boss for the IIHF World Championship. Previously, David Quinn coached Team USA at the IIHF World Championship from 2021 to 2024.
Under Quinn’s leadership, Team USA earned bronze in 2021, but finished fourth in 2023.
In 2024, they were eliminated in the quarterfinals after a 1-0 loss to Czechia. Team USA concluded the tournament with a fifth-place finish.
Historically, the past four tournaments have seen a rotation of champions and consistent U.S. appearances in the final rounds.
Canada won gold in 2021, edging Finland in overtime in Riga. Finland captured gold in 2022, defeating Canada on home ice in Tampere. Canada reclaimed the championship in 2023, beating Germany in the final. Czechia won gold in 2024, beating Switzerland as the host nation.
Team USA earned bronze in 2021, finished fourth in 2022 and 2023, and placed fifth in 2024.
The appointment marks a continuation of NHL-affiliated coaches for the role. Other recent coaches include Jeff Blashill (2017-2019) and John Hynes (2016).
The U.S. has not won gold at the IIHF World Championship since 1960, under Jack Riley.
Overall, the U.S. has earned 13 IIHF World Championship medals: one gold, four silver, and eight bronze since 1931.
With Warsofsky heading the team, USA aims to build upon recent performances and contend for a medal. Warsofsky’s experience in developing young talent this season positions him well to lead the national team.
The roster for the tournament is expected to be announced following the conclusion of the NHL regular season. April 17 is the regular season end, with the start of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning April 19.
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on X for more sports articles like this one.
Featured image courtesy of Team USA Hockey on usahockey.com
“From Our Haus to Yours”
