Asked if he envisions leading the team at 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 follow him and take him to new heights.”
Ryan spoke by phone from Seattle, where his Toronto Sceptres are returning from the PWHL’s month-long Olympic break to play the Torrent. And Ryan spoke a day after first suggesting his coaching tenure was over during a video conference with PWHL reporters.
“I think to some extent there is time for change, and this is probably the right time for change,” Ryan said. “I’ve had those conversations constantly over the years with Hockey Canada about when is the right time to transition into a different role or just exit the program completely.”
Ryan’s contract with Hockey Canada expires this year. He said more details need to be worked out and he hoped to have a say in the succession plan. Possible candidates to replace him include two of his assistants, Kori Cheverie and former Canadian Olympian Caroline Ouellette.
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Ryan, 54, is preparing to leave his job after a 2-1 overtime loss to the United States in the gold medal match at the Milan Cortina Olympics. It was an outing in which the Canadians pushed a younger, faster American team to a near upset before Hilary Knight tied the game with 2:04 left and Megan Keller sealed the victory 4:07 into overtime.
Despite the loss, Ryan earned credit for his six-year tenure that included a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Games. He also coached Canada to three world championship titles, plus two silvers.
Ryan will be best remembered for turning around a team that hit rock bottom by losing to hosts Finland in the 2019 world championship semi-finals and settling for bronze. It was the only time Canada did not reach the gold medal round at a world championship or Olympic Games.
The Canadians dominated the Beijing tournament by winning all seven games in which they outscored their opponents by a combined 57-10, closing with a 3-2 gold medal victory over the United States.
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Ryan’s pending departure coincides with what is expected to be a major rotation of what was a veteran Canadian squad, led by captain Marie-Philip Poulin, 34, and including forwards Natalie Spooner (35), Brianne Jenner (34) and defenseman Jocelyne Larocque (37).
Poulin, also known as “Captain Clutch,” said he has not yet determined his future.
The roster change influenced Ryan’s decision, as he felt it was an ideal time for a new coach to begin reshaping the team for the 2030 Olympics in France. He would like to remain part of the program in an advisory role to help the new coach, but noted that will be up to Hockey Canada and his successor.
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AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics