Troy Ryan(born January 26, 1972) is aCanadianice hockeycoach and the currenthead coachfor both theToronto Sceptresof theProfessional Women's Hockey League(PWHL) andCanada women's national ice hockey team.[1]
| Troy Ryan | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Ryan in 2024 | |||
| Born |
January 26, 1972 Spryfield, Nova Scotia,Canada | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| CurrentPWHLcoach National team coach |
Toronto Sceptres Canada | ||
| Playing career | 1991–1998 | ||
| Coaching career | 2001–present | ||
Playing career
editGrowing up in theSpryfieldarea ofHalifax, Nova Scotia,Ryan competed injunior ice hockeyat the AAA level with the Halifax McDonald's Midget team before joining theHalifax Mooseheadsin theMaritime Junior A Hockey League(MHL). After his stint with the Mooseheads, Ryan played university hockey with two different programs. From 1993 to 1995, he skated for the Varsity Reds of theUniversity of New Brunswick,followed by a pair of seasons with theSaint Mary's Huskies.
Coaching career
editRyan also gained his first major coaching experience at the university level. Starting in 2001, Ryan enjoyed a pair of seasons with theAcadia Axemenmen's varsity ice hockey program. Following his initial coaching foray in university ice hockey, Ryan joined the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in 2003, becoming general manager and head coach of theAntigonish Bulldogs.Afterwards, he served in those dual roles with thePictou County Weeks Crushersfrom 2004 to 2009, taking the team to the semi-finals of the 2008 RBC Cup.
From 2013 to 2016, Ryan served in multiple capacities with the MHL'sCampbellton Tigers,including head coach, general manager, and president. He also served in the same roles with the league'sMetro Maraudersfrom 2009 to 2011. Sandwiched in between those two stints in the MHL, he was head coach for theSt. Thomas University Tommiesmen's ice hockey team ofU Sports'Atlantic University Sportconference.
Women's ice hockey
editIn 2015, Ryan took on head coaching duties in two different women's ice hockey events. At the2015 Canada Winter Games,Ryan served as bench boss for Team Nova Scotia, finishing in seventh place. As a side note, he had also served as head coach for the Nova Scotia men's team at the2007 Canada Winter Games.For the 2015 National Women's Under-18 Championship, Ryan served in the same role with Team Atlantic, finishing fifth. One year later, Ryan was named Atlantic Canada's female coach mentor with the Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic.
In July 2020, Ryan became the head coach of theDalhousie Tigers women's ice hockeyprogram.[2]On September 15, 2023, it was announced that Ryan would be leaving the Dalhousie Tigers to become the inaugural head coach forPWHL Toronto.[3][4]During the2023–24 season,he ledTorontoto a 13–4–0–7 record and a league-leading 47 points. Following the season he was named PWHL Coach of the Year.[5]
Hockey Canada
editWith theCanadian women's national under-18 ice hockey team,Ryan enjoyed his first experiences as a head coach withHockey Canada.In August 2016, Ryan served as bench boss for a three-game series inCalgarybetween the under-18 teams of Canada and theUnited States.He served in the same role, leading the Canadian contingent to a silver medal at the2017 IIHF U18 Women's World Championshipin the Czech Republic. Later in 2017, Ryan served as an assistant coach on the staff of head coachPerry Pearnwith the Canadian national team at the2017 4 Nations CupinTampa, Florida,a silver medal finish. He gained another silver as an assistant coach at the2018 4 Nations CupinSaskatoon,Saskatchewan.
During 2019, Ryan took on two different roles with Hockey Canada. In August, he was head coach for the Canadian national women's development team, facing off against the United States during a three-game series hosted inLake Placid, New York.Additionally, Ryan was part of the coaching staff that gained a bronze medal at the2019 IIHF Women's World ChampionshipinEspoo, Finland.
In May 2021, it was announced that Ryan would serve as head coach for the Canadian women's team that competed inice hockey at the 2022 Winter Olympics.[6]He served behind the bench as Canada claimed gold in thewomen's ice hockey tournamentat the2022 Winter OlympicsinBeijing.
He is contracted to continue as head coach of the Canadian national team through the2026 Winter OlympicsinMilan.[7][8]
Awards and honours
edit- Fred Page Cup (2008)
- Maritime Junior A Hockey League Coach of the Year (2005–06, 2007–08, 2008–09)
- MHL Coach of the Year (2015–16)
- Hockey Nova Scotia Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
- Sport Nova Scotia Coach of the Year (2018)
- Acadia University Hockey Honour Roll (2023)
- PWHL Coach of the Year (2023–24)
References
edit- ^"Ryan, MacLeod headline PWHL coaches".Sportsnet.CP.September 15, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on September 17, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 15,2023.
- ^"An Unusual Start To A New Role".Dalhousie University.September 23, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^"Women's hockey head coach set to depart Dalhousie".Dalhousie Tigers(Press release). September 15, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 16,2023.
- ^Ngabo, Gilbert (September 15, 2023)."Team Canada coach Troy Ryan adds Toronto PWHL job".Toronto Star.Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.
- ^"PWHL Toronto forward Natalie Spooner named league's inaugural MVP".CBC.ca.June 11, 2024.RetrievedJune 11,2024.
- ^"Troy Ryan to Lead Canada's Women's Olympic Team in Beijing".Hockey Canada(Press release). February 22, 2019.Archivedfrom the original on June 2, 2021.RetrievedJune 1,2021.
- ^Salvian, Hailey (August 22, 2022)."Team Canada extends Troy Ryan through 2026".The Athletic.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.
- ^Iveson, Ali (August 26, 2022)."Ryan to coach Canadian women's ice hockey team until 2026 Winter Olympics".Inside The Games.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2023.RetrievedSeptember 17,2023.