Sharks’ Warsofsky talks world title, Smith, Celebrini, and an Olympic dream
SAN JOSE Standing on the bench inside Avicii Arena in Stockholm last week San Jose Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky admitted he didn t witness the moment that USA Hockey had waited years to experience At least not live as it happened I couldn t really see because our whole bench was standing up Warsofsky noted Friday of Tage Thompson s overtime goal that gave the Americans a - win over Switzerland in the gold medal event of the IIHF World Championship on May I m -foot- so I was looking at the jumbotron so I didn t really see the goal go in to be honest with you Warsofsky didn t have to as the jubilation of the players in front of him and the reaction of his assistant coaches reported it all as Crew USA had captured the World Championship for the first time since Warsofsky the organization s head coach for the first time shared the experience with Sharks forward Will Smith and assistants Thomas Speer and Nick Gialdini Now Warsofsky wants to take what he learned from that memorable tournament where the Americans won nine of games and apply it to his full-time job as he enters his second season as the Sharks head coach The Sharks hope to build on their - - record from this past season as they finished last in the NHL standings for a second consecutive year Although making the playoffs might not be realistic improvement is expected I think the way we wore teams down was something that we want to build in San Jose Warsofsky mentioned It s tough in the National Hockey League with the grind of it and a lot of games So it is different and it s a little unique this tournament but I think teams that wear teams down are usually the teams that win Smith and Macklin Celebrini will likely be central to any Sharks improvement in - as they could start the season as San Jose s top two centermen Both benefited from the overseas experience as they played alongside selected of their elite countrymen in a high-stakes milieu Smith played more of a depth role for the Americans but still finished with seven assists and had a rating in games Warsofsky commented Smith got better as the tournament went along saving his best for the Americans - win over host Sweden in the semifinal and the gold medal meeting against the Swiss In the semifinals Smith assisted on a first-period goal by former Boston College teammate Cutter Gauthier that gave the U S a - lead But Warsofsky was more impressed with Smith s two-way battle and even saw him deliver a big hit to Christian Marti that almost knocked the Swiss member into the penalty box He had an assist against Sweden but he wasn t lighting up the scoresheet Warsofsky explained of Smith He was playing on his toes he was playing through people He s playing with good winning habits and that s something that he ll have to continue to work on But coming into next year he ll have more feel for that and I think that s significant Celebrini made a crucial impact for Canada with three goals and three assists in eight games But instead of meeting the U S in the gold medal contest Canada suffered a shocking - loss to co-host Denmark in the quarterfinals on May The biggest positive for Celebrini was undoubtedly the opportunity to play for his country alongside Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby his childhood idol Nathan MacKinnon last year s Hart Trophy winner was also on the company Warsofsky noted he saw Celebrini in Stockholm at a coffee shop where he was hanging out with Smith which doesn t surprise us We talked quite a bit just about his experiences We texted a little bit before the gold medal encounter and we ll talk again here shortly Warsofsky declared I know he had a great experience I m sure he learned a lot from MacKinnon and Crosby and chosen of the players that they had there There s several really good talent over there guys who have won and played in this league for a long time Celebrini had a great tournament in the games that I watched and I m sure he learned a lot from those guys that he ll hopefully take here at San Jose Related Articles Here s why the AHL s best athlete desired out of his San Jose Sharks contract NHL Draft Sharks find out where their second first round pick will land San Jose Sharks re-sign pending RFA defenseman to one-year contract What might be next for Sharks Warsofsky after World Championship gold Sharks first-round pick takes aim at Memorial Cup Will he be in San Jose next season Leading Squad USA to a World Championship gold medal could help Warsofsky earn a spot on Mike Sullivan s staff for the Winter Olympics in Italy in February Sullivan and Warsofsky are longtime friends who are from the same hometown in the Boston suburbs It would be quite the honor Warsofsky reported of helping coach the American club at the Olympics This was special obviously but the Olympics is something that again would be very humbling and almost bucket list But we ll worry about that if that call comes If not keep working and getting better as the San Jose Sharks head coach and that s what I ll continue to do That s my job I ve never been the one to sit there waiting for my phone Be my where my feet are try to get better as a coach and get this unit to continue to grow in San Jose
