There was some significant news in the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Friday. According to TSN, Troy Ryan of Halifax, Nova Scotia has left the Toronto Sceptres to be the first head coach and general manager of San Jose’s expansion franchise. Ryan will become the first person in the PWHL to hold both of these roles in a single season.
There will be four new PWHL franchises in 2026-27. Joining San Jose are Hamilton, Las Vegas and Detroit.
Ryan has a record of 52 wins, 32 regulation losses and 10 losses in extra time as a PWHL coach with the Sceptres. Ryan was also named the 2024 PWHL coach of the year. This past season, Toronto missed the playoffs as they had 38 points, and were six points back of the Ottawa Charge for a playoff spot.
The Sceptres were in playoff contention up until their final game of the season. However, with their season on the line, the Sceptres lost 3-0 to the Charge.
On the international side, Ryan has led Canada to two Olympic medals as a head coach. Canada won gold in women’s hockey at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing and a silver medal at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan/Cortina d’Ampezzo.
As a player, Ryan played three seasons in USports. In 56 games over three seasons with the University of New Brunswick (1993 to 1995) and St. Mary’s University (1997 to 1998), Ryan had seven goals and 14 assists for 21 points.
