Olympic Gold Coach Troy Ryan Joins San Jose PWHL Team

Just days after San Jose announced its new professional women's hockey team, the city landed one of the sport's biggest names to lead it.

Troy Ryan, who coached Team Canada to Olympic gold in 2022, will serve as both head coach and general manager for the PWHL expansion team. At 54, Ryan brings an impressive resume that includes three World Championship titles and a recent stint coaching Toronto to two playoff appearances.

The hire makes Ryan the first person in the three-year-old league to hold both roles simultaneously. He starts on June 2, just in time to prepare for the June 17 amateur draft.

Ryan's excitement is clear. "Expansion creates a rare opportunity to shape everything with intention from the standards and culture to the people and connection to the community," he said in a statement.

His track record speaks volumes. During six seasons with Team Canada, Ryan guided the team to international dominance, including that unforgettable 2022 Olympic gold medal in Beijing. He also earned PWHL Coach of the Year honors in 2024 while leading the Toronto Sceptres.

The timing couldn't be better for women's hockey on the West Coast. San Jose joins Detroit, Hamilton and Las Vegas as one of four expansion teams entering the league this season, doubling the PWHL's footprint and bringing elite women's hockey to new communities.

The Ripple Effect

Ryan's appointment does more than fill a coaching position. It sends a powerful message about the growth and professionalism of women's hockey.

PWHL VP Jayna Hefford praised Ryan as "a consummate professional and culture driver" whose diverse experience makes him perfect for building a team from scratch. His dual role gives San Jose a unified vision from day one.

For Bay Area hockey fans, this means watching a championship-caliber program take shape in their backyard. Ryan's commitment to connecting with the community and growing the sport locally promises to inspire a new generation of players and fans.

The work ahead is substantial, but Ryan welcomes it. Building a team from the ground up, establishing a winning culture, and representing the Bay Area with pride are exactly the challenges that drew him to San Jose.

Women's hockey just gained another major foothold in North America, and this time it's anchored by a coach who knows exactly what it takes to win.