Rangers and Sharks head coaches have a distinct and meaningful connection

SAN JOSE — A Unique Connection in Hockey

When it comes to their ties within the hockey community, Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan and Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofski have a pretty distinct bond.

Both families used to live next to each other in Marshfield, Massachusetts. In fact, when Ryan was born back in 1987, his parents chose Mike’s parents, George and Myrna Sullivan, as his godparents.

Sullivan and Warsofski first squared off as head coaches on November 16, 2024, as the Sharks made their way to Pittsburgh. Warsofski had been promoted from assistant coach to head coach just before the last season began.

They faced each other again on Friday night, following the Sharks’ earlier overtime victory against MSG this season.

“He means everything to me,” Sullivan remarked before the Rangers faced a 3-1 defeat to the Sharks at SAP Center. “Everyone knows the strong connection our families have, and witnessing Ryan’s rise in the hockey world makes me incredibly proud. He’s a talented young coach, and it’s heartening to see all the effort he’s put into making it this far. Honestly, I’m not the least bit surprised about his success. He’s sharp and eager to learn.”

Sullivan continued, “He has an undeniable passion for coaching. Look at his journey so far; he’s really dedicated himself at various levels to refine his skills, and I believe he’s one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in the sport right now.”

During his time coaching the Bruins from 2003 to 2006, Sullivan often included a young Warsofski and his brother David in morning skates and meetings. Warsofski, who is now 38, noted that experience significantly influenced his desire to become a head coach.

“I’m just trying to support him by sharing my experiences,” Sullivan said. “We all have mentors that guide us, and it’s important to learn from their journeys. I certainly had people like that when I was a young coach. I want to do the same for Ryan. He’s an excellent young coach, and this league is tough. There’s so much involved, and for me, navigating through this is what’s necessary to succeed at this level.”

“What really stands out is the emphasis on relationships and figuring out how to maximize the potential of people—this is a daily challenge. Managing relationships with players is crucial, and that’s something we frequently discuss,” he added.

As of Friday, the Rangers Alumni Classic set for Sunday at Madison Square Garden is still on, despite an approaching snowstorm.

Sam Rosen, the legendary voice of the Rangers who retired after last season, is scheduled to return to commentate games.

Former Rangers like Adam Graves, Derek Stepan, Mike Richter, Dan Girardi, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, Brian Boyle, and Sean Avery are among those expected to play in the alumni game.