NHL Veteran Ramsay takes the Reins of Atlanta Thrashers
Fourteen year veteran of the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, Craig Ramsay was appointed Head Coach of the Atlanta thrashers. The announcement came a day after the Atlanta Thrasher acquired Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager from Stanley Cup winners, Chicago Blackhawks.
These moves by the Atlanta General Manger, Rick Dudley, are seen as attempts to reform the team. Addition of Dustin in the offensive side and Craig’s experience as a defenseman, would surely add to the overall character of the team in the arena, not an alien sentiment among Atlanta players. “It’s been an exciting week. We had the trade, added some new guys and now he have a new coach. It really gets you going” Atlanta defenseman Ron Hainsey said.
Ramsay represents the fifth head coach for the thrashers since the league was set up. He would be filling the shoes of the highly accomplished John Anderson. Ramsay, in his NHL career, made a reputation for himself for his defensive prowess. He brought the skills he acquired in his years playing defence for the Sabres into play as the Boston Bruins, under Ramsay, came out of last season as the team to concede the least number of goals.
Ramsay and Dudley played together for the Buffalo Sabres and at one time were roommates. Long time friends, Dudley first tried to take Ramsay for his team as General Manager of the Florida Panthers but Tampa Bay made sure Ramsay couldn’t leave the franchise back in 2003. Boston however, was not so stingy and gave Dudley permission to interview Ramsay. There is mutual respect for each other between the two Sabres veterans. “Craig is very well-respected in the hockey community and we’re excited to add a coach of his calibre to our organization’’ Dudley said.
Ramsay was no less enthusiastic about the switchover from Boston. “This was an opportunity to hook up with an old buddy and come to a great city and create a great hockey team” Ramsay said. " I've known Rick Dudley since 1971. We played together on two different occasions. I went to work for him in Tampa Bay. He put together a great product there and we won the Stanley Cup”.
Ramsay briefly spoke about what his approach to coaching with the Thrasher would be. He said that he wanted defensemen to join in on as many rushes by their team as circumstances permit. “We want to create four-man rushes as much as possible” He wants the team to be more aggressive and “up-tempo,” under his aggressive fore checking policy.
Ramsay believed that the players on the Atlanta roster could deliver results under the strategy Ramsay is pursuing. He mentioned, among others, Antropov and Byfuglien as players who would prove to be important assets to the team.
Well wishers from the Bruins were also on hand with a show of respect and appreciation for the former coach. Defenseman, Johnny Boychuk, wished Ramsay well. He said that Ramsay would give him drills to increase his decision making speed and improve foot work even when he was not playing. “He’s a great coach” Boychuck said. Bruins GM, Peter Chiarelli, said that Ramsay had a calming influence on everyone he interacted with. “He’s really good 1-on-1 with guys” he added.
Dudley said that picking Ramsay was an easy choice but the process of putting together the rest of the coaching staff might not be so clear cut for the new GM. Ramsay and Dudley have had discussions about the coaching staff and Dudley said that filling out the staff should not take an unreasonable amount of time.
Third time is the charm, as this would be third of previous brief stints as head coach for Ramsay. As for the Bruins, it is speculated that Doug Houda would be replacing Ramsay.
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