Troy Ryan feels grateful and honored to have led the Canadian women’s hockey team to two Olympics and told The Associated Press on Friday that he believes it’s time to step down as coach.
Asked if he expected to coach the team for the World Championships in November, Ryan said: “I don’t think so. I would never say never, but it’s very unlikely.”
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He then added: “I think it’s time for someone else to try it and take it to the next level.”
Ryan spoke by phone from Seattle, where his Toronto Scepters have just returned from the PWHL’s month-long Olympic break to compete in the Tide. Ryan spoke one day after first hinting at the end of his coaching tenure during a video conference call with PWHL reporters.
“I do believe to some degree that it’s time for a change, and now may be the right time to change,” Ryan said. “I’ve been having these conversations with Hockey Canada for a number of years about when the right time is to transition into a different role or exit the program entirely.”
Ryan’s contract with Hockey Canada expires this year. He said more details needed to be worked out and he wanted to have a say in succession planning. Potential candidates to replace him include two of his assistants, Kori Cheverie and former Canadian Olympian Caroline Ouellette.
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Ryan, 54, was preparing to resign after losing 2-1 in overtime to the United States in the Olympic gold medal match in Milan Cortina. In this game, Canada nearly upset a younger, faster U.S. team, with Hilary Knight tying the game with 2:04 left and Megan Keller sealing the win at 4:07 in overtime.
Despite the defeat, Ryan has won accolades during his six-year tenure, including a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. He also coached Team Canada to three world championship titles and two silver medals.
Ryan will be best remembered for rebounding from a semi-final loss to host Finland at the 2019 World Championships to win a bronze medal. It was the only time a Canadian team did not advance to the gold medal round at the World Championships or Olympics.
The Canadian team won all seven games in the Beijing Games, defeating its opponents with a total score of 57-10, and finally defeated the United States 3-2 to win the gold medal.
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Ryan’s departure comes amid expected changes to Canada’s veteran lineup, which is led by 34-year-old captain Marie-Philip Poulin and includes forwards Natalie Spooner (35), Brianne Jenner (34) and defender Jocelyne Larocque (37).
Pullin, also known as “Captain Clutch,” said she hasn’t determined her future yet.
The roster changes were a factor in Ryan’s decision, as he believes now is the ideal time for a new coach to begin reshaping the team in preparation for the 2030 Olympics in France. He hopes to remain involved with the program in an advisory capacity to assist the new coach, but noted that will be up to Hockey Canada and his successor.
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AP Olympics coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics