Sharks make assistant Ryan Warsofsky new head coach - ESPN

San Jose Sharks assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky was promoted to head coach Thursday, as the franchise looks to turn the corner after having the second-fewest points in the salary cap era.

The 36-year-old Warsofsky, who is now the youngest coach in the NHL, had been an assistant for two seasons under previous Sharks coach David Quinn. Warsofsky oversaw the Sharks' defense and a penalty-killing unit while working with one of the league's youngest rosters.

«I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and excitement to be named as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks,» Warsofsky said in a statement. «This is 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.»

Finding a new head coach was among the priorities for an organization that's undergoing what might be one of the most pivotal offseasons in franchise history. They hired Quinn prior to the 2022-23 season to take over a team that was in transition but opted to go in another direction after the Sharks finished with the NHL's worst record at 19-54-9.

Having the NHL's poorest record meant the Sharks had the strongest odds to win the NHL Draft Lottery. They won the lottery and are now expected to take Boston University center and consensus No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini.

Celebrini, who won the Hobey Baker Award for the nation's top collegiate player, scored 32 goals and 64 points for BU last season as a 17-year-old while playing against competition that is at least three years older. A North Vancouver native, Celebrini's father, Rick, works for the Golden State Warriors which led to their family moving to the Bay Area and Celebrini spending a year with the San Jose Jr. Sharks.

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