Ryan Warsofsky Named as Charlotte Checkers New Head Coach

The Charlotte Checkers’ search for a new Head Coach is over; Ryan Warsofsky, previously assistant coach for the Checkers, is the new bench boss in Charlotte.

Earlier today, the Charlotte Checkers named Ryan Warsofsky as their new head coach, weeks after previous head coach Mike Vellucci left the team for a head coaching position with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Warsofsky is a familiar face in the Checkers’ locker room already, which will be a huge help amidst the changes coming down the pipeline in the Checkers’ roster lately; he was previously the assistant head coach in Charlotte, and was in charge of the defensive corps and the penalty-kill, which was 2nd best in the AHL during the regular season under his leadership.

Needless to say, Ryan Warsofsky’s coaching was a huge factor in the Checkers taking home the Calder Cup Championship this past season. Previously, Warsofsky was the head coach of the South Carolina Stingrays in the ECHL from 2016-2018, and he managed to lead them to a Kelly Cup Championship in 2017. Warsofsky, at the age of 31, is now the youngest coach in the AHL since the year 2000.

Prior to his coaching career that began in 2012-2013, Warsofsky played defense at Sacred Heart University and Curry University, before beginning his foray into professional hockey from 2011-2012.

Ryan Warsofsky’s younger brother, David Warsofsky, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 4th Round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, and has played in 55 career NHL games with various organizations, including the Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, and his current team, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Question for CC Readers: Do you think the Checkers will be able to replicate their 2018-19 Calder Cup run under Ryan Warsofsky?