Canada head coach Troy Ryan talks with his players during the third period of a women's hockey semi-final against Switzerland at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics earlier this month.Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press
Troy Ryan is grateful and honoured to have overseen the Canadian women’s hockey team at two Olympics and told The Associated Press on Friday that he believes it’s time he stepped down as coach.
Asked if he foresees coaching the team at the world championships in November, Ryan said: “I don’t believe so. I would never say never, but very unlikely.”
He then added: “I think it’s time for someone else to run with it and take it to new heights.
“I do believe to some extent that there is time for change, and this is probably the right time for change,” Ryan said. “I’ve had those conversations consistently over the years with Hockey Canada on when the right time to transition into either a different role or just completely transition out of the program.”
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Among the potential candidates to replace Ryan are two of his assistants, Kori Cheverie and former Canadian Olympian Caroline Ouellette.
The 54-year-old Ryan prepares to leave his job following a 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the gold-medal game at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
Despite the loss, Ryan earned credit for his six-year tenure that included a gold-medal win at the 2022 Beijing Games. He also coached Canada to win three world championship titles, along with two silvers.
Ryan’s pending departure coincides with what is expected to be a large turnover of what was a veteran Canadian roster, led by 34-year-old captain Marie-Philip Poulin and featuring, forwards Natalie Spooner (35), Brianne Jenner (34) and defender Jocelyne Larocque (37).
Poulin, aka “Captain Clutch,” said she has not yet determined her future.
The roster changeover factored into Ryan’s decision as he considered it an ideal time for a new coach to begin reshaping the team for the 2030 Olympics in France.