Ramsay to interview with Winnipeg
Craig Ramsay will interview for his job. The Thrashers coach said he was contacted by Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff Sunday night and told he will be a candidate for the position when the team relocates to Manitoba for next season.
Ramsay said he expected the interview to be this week.
“We are going to talk,” Ramsay told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Monday. “It’s weird, but it is what it is. This whole situation is a bit awkward. Kevin was good to talk to and we’ll see what we can get done.”
Ramsay has one year remaining on the contract he signed to coach the Thrashers before last season. The positions of those on Ramsay’s staff – associate coach John Torchetti, assistant Mike Stothers, video coach Tony Borgford and goaltending consultant Clint Malarchuk – are also undetermined.
The Winnipeg franchise has informed much of the Thrashers support staff that they will not be retained. Dan Marr, the Thrashers director of amateur scouting and player development, was informed Sunday that he will not be a part of the organization. Many of the positions are being filled by the staff of the AHL’s Manitoba Moose, which is also owned by buyer True North Sports and Entertainment. Moose coach Claude Noel is also considered a candidate.
The Thrashers sale and relocation becomes official with the approval of the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting on June 21 in New York City.
On another note: Spent some time with Thrashers equipment manager Bobby Stewart on Monday for an upcoming story. Stewart, who spent all 12 years with the Atlanta Thrashers and 26 with the Flames in Atlanta and Calgary, would have worked his 3,000th NHL game next season. Look for the story in Sunday’s paper.
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130 comments Add your comment
hockeymom92
June 16th, 2011
5:56 am
And the President’s trophy winner’s curse lives on…… Congrats to the Bruins, especially Peverley, it was a great game to watch, though bittersweet.
Responsible Journalist
June 16th, 2011
6:33 am
Congrats to the former Thrashers who won the Cup last night, though I didn’t watch. Also, a good job to Nuck fans who chanted “F Boston” as they destroyed their OWN city in a riot. Canadian logic seemingly strikes again.
East Point Bob
June 16th, 2011
6:35 am
How classless are those stupid fans in Canada. Lose the finals and riot, We had class and no riots when we lost our team. I have to say Canada fans are the most worthless, classless, bunch of big mouthed bums I ever saw… All NHL teams should leave for the USA ASAP ! they do not deserve hockey in that wasteland called “Canada” !
Let NONE In
June 16th, 2011
6:47 am
Oh Wpg Fan: Care to explain how a real hockey town acts like that last night? No thanks. I think I’ll pass on visting Winnipeg. You all act like a bunch of neanderthals.
Atlanta Flames Fan
June 16th, 2011
7:30 am
Watching the postgame on NBC last night, I saw no sight of Savard. Did anyone else? I assume that the NHL Network and/or Center Ice continued with the on-ice celebration and into the locker room. Anyone see him? Did he get to be a part of the on-ice team picture?
Atlanta Flames Fan
June 16th, 2011
8:31 am
Ironically, another Savard, Denis, was in his street clothes due to an injury when he jumped on the ice to join his teammates to celebrate the clinching of the Stanley Cup as a Canadien.
Atlanta Flames Fan
June 16th, 2011
8:34 am
Watching the post-game celebration replay on VS., I saw Horton put on his jersey and skates to hold the Cup over his head.
Matt from MN
June 16th, 2011
8:43 am
Wonder how Blake Wheeler is feeling this morning?
DWTOO
June 16th, 2011
9:06 am
Matt – Wheeler and Stuart are on hold with the suicide hotline.
And, let’s stay classy Thrasher fans. We didn’t appreciate the crud slung our way by the Canadian so called fans posting here. So, don’t stoop to their level. Of course it’s OK to laugh at their duplicity without resorting to making it public.
ThisSucks
June 16th, 2011
9:28 am
I’ve held back for long enough. I am devastated about the loss of our team. My oldest son and I went to every opening and closing night game at a minimum, even after we really started to suck. The first few seasons, I averaged about 40 games in attendance. I was proud of the logo being tattooed on my leg. I take this loss personally because it was something special I shared with my kids. I wish nothing but the absolute worst for ASG, Waddell, and the commish.
That said, I applaud the city and fans of Winniped as well as True North. Y’all seem very committed to the success of our franchise. While I will not be a fan of a team in Winnipeg and likely will no longer watch the NHL, you deserve credit for what you have accomplished in such a short period of time. As a die hard (dead) Thrashers fan, I do wish you nothing but success with our team. They have a good core and I hope your support helps bring in necessary talent. Congratulations to you… Goodby NHL…
Adam
June 16th, 2011
9:51 am
Brendan, I just wanted to say I enjoyed your posts as well. There are many people on these boards that were great to share our thoughts with. It would sure be nice if we can find another home to continue what we have here.
I live 5 minutes from Gwinnett Arena and would be more than happy to hit a local pub and or tailgate with you guys before Glads games.
DWTOO
June 16th, 2011
10:15 am
Adam – We live close to Gwinnett Arena also. Shame the Loafing Leperchaun closed. Good place for pre/post game brew.
Tom Lysiak
June 16th, 2011
11:15 am
Good to see those Canadian fans acquit themselves well after yet another defeat. Guess the Bruins didn’t get the memo that this is Canada’s game and their birthright. Stymied since 92-93…..may the streak continue forever.
EA
June 16th, 2011
11:15 am
What a sad situation that erupted in the streets of Vancouver.
Wpg Fan
June 16th, 2011
11:36 am
To Brendan and the other intelligent hockey fans….thanks for the feedback, good to learn from the source, I appreciate it.
To all of the people that are saying that all of Canada was cheering for Van last night…you could not be more wrong….a lot of us hate the Canucks….the media creates this bring the cup home crap……if you actually look at the rosters you’d see the Bruins are mostly made up of Canadian players and only one American (Tim Thomas)….so reality is that this morning many of us are happy that the Bruins won…
As far as people painting all Canadians with the disgraceful actions of a minority of people in Vancouver….I mean, c’mon, do you want me to start hammering out a list of all the disgusting things that ever happened in your country and then say what terrible people you all are?? I think not…..
Adam
June 16th, 2011
12:11 pm
DWTOO – Yea that was a shame. There’s still Arena Tavern, Marlow’s & Fontera. On weekends I could always throw something on the Grill or smoker
Brendan
June 16th, 2011
1:34 pm
Adam, many thanks for those comments. For sure, I’m going to get out to some Glads games next year. I’m thinking Rawhide could be our POC for gatherings, as he has all our email addresses and tele #’s. It’s a darned shame … a darned, darned shame that the NHL and its ownership lieutenant ran the franchise into the ground. Just imagine if Atlanta’s two 1st overalls (Stefan, Kovalchuk) and two 2nd overalls (Heatley, Lehtonen) could have been as well as Pittsburgh’s two 1st overalls (Fleury, Crosby) and two 2nd overalls (Malkin and Staal)? With a couple a deep runs into the playoffs, even without a Cup, this city would have been energized. And the NHL would have gotten off page 6 of the sports section, too. If you’re a print newspaper, deep in the heart of college football territory, what do you do with a nothin’ happenin’, poorly-run hockey team with owner apathy? Shrugs. Bury them on page 6, I guess!!
David
June 16th, 2011
2:02 pm
First of all, I believe everyone in Atlanta including myself was sad to see this hockey team leave. I was a few that saw more Atlanta Flames games than Thrashers games. Now, that does not mean that this team lack support. It went though the same process the Flames went though; they could not find a new owner in this city that would take a hit with a sports team. We still have hockey here only in Gwinnett, and it support well enough with a very beautiful arena to watch hockey. I believe that the next NHL hockey team that come here maybe 20 or 30 years from now; they must build a new arena in the north subs to be close to the core fans and find a way for this team to stay and make money. The Thrashers owners AS did hold on this team longer than I wanted; only things I hate to see was the only group intersting in buying this team was outside not local. There was no local interest here to keep the team here. That was a big blow more than why this team left to another city, I cannot blame the NHL people on that.
Brendan
June 16th, 2011
4:38 pm
David, I think Coca-Cola was interested, but the Atlanta Spirit, LLC, wouldn’t sell the Hawks and operating rights to Philips Arena, so their efforts turned into a non-starter. Nobody will buy an NHL team divorced from venue proceeds.
Bob
June 16th, 2011
7:16 pm
I can’t believe the thrashers are gone… can’t believe it still…damn and now they may name them the FALCONS?????? what gives!
Brian powdertown
June 17th, 2011
11:00 am
oh canada your home and wasted land we beat you down again why dont you loons form your own league then your cup wont be taken by a tougher american team.
its imminent
June 17th, 2011
12:00 pm
@ BOB the Winnipeg falcons were the very first hockey gold medal winners in the Olympics
its imminent
June 17th, 2011
12:25 pm
@ BRIAN POWDERTOWN .THE STANLY CUP WAS DONATED TO AMATEUR HOCKEY CLUBS IN CANADA BY FREDERICK ARTHUR STANLY , HE WAS THE THE SIXTH GOVERNOR GENERAL OF CANADA .THERE ARE ONLY 5 AMERICAN BORN PLAYERS ON BOSTONS ROSTER
Next Season TV
June 17th, 2011
2:44 pm
Will the NHL allow for either Nashville, Carolina or Tampa games to be broadcast over FoxSports or SportsSouth in ATL when the season starts again? I don’t get Verses.
Stan Drulia
June 17th, 2011
3:57 pm
I emailed SS and got a response back immediately that basically says yes, there will be hockey, either Carolina or more likely Nashville games – televised in ATlanta next year. I’m hoping for Nashville.
thrasherdawg
June 17th, 2011
11:38 pm
Wasn’t it Great!
When Bettman was annouced to present the trophy’s, the chant “Bettman Sucks” was so loud he couldn’t even here himself talk.
The BOOING was so loud he couldn’t here himself talk. When will the HNL get a clue and get rid of this clown? Bettman couldn’t run a popsicle stand.
All he had to do was come to Atlanta and tell the fans, 13,000 season tickets and the team stays in Atlanta…the reason he didn’t, he knew he would loss 60 million dollars.
EA
June 18th, 2011
7:52 am
C VIv-what is the status of Dan Kamal, Darren Elliot and Matt McConnell’s jobs?
ZAvalanche
June 19th, 2011
12:08 pm
@ wpg fan – pretty sure I know what a “real hockey market” is. Perhaps you should have been in Atl for the series vs the Rangers. Yea, we got rolled, but the place was rocking and the local TV ratings were very good. Most Atlantans are transplants from the north, we like our hockey but would you pay for a poor product? I don’t think so. As has been said and beaten into the ground continually – the ownership screwed this up, not the fans.
Brendan
June 19th, 2011
8:39 pm
Whether or not SS carries Predators or Hurricanes games wouldn’t matter ifffff you subscried to Center Ice. I understand. We’ve declared war on the NHL, the evil-doers who allowed this to happen. But really, is it the NHL’s fault moreso than the owner’s fault? I know, we’re venturing into a chicken vs. an egg argument. The NHL put the team in Atlanta, and vetted the ownerships, plural, such as they did. They should have done a better job of it. But really, did the NHL tell/instruct the Atlanta Spirt, LLC, to SEPARATE their assets, and sell them in that fashion? No, I’d venture that they didn’t. That was a Heptacluster decision, spitting at us with their last breath, because we vowed not to give them financial support until they fired Waddell. Well, in the ownership’s shoes, I would have fired Waddell, to keep my patrons coming. How expensive are GM’s, really? You can pick them up for under a $1 million-a-year. It’s really NOT cost prohibitive.
Our chance to get NHL hockey back is not over. I do believe our Commissioner is quite aware of how this all happened. Whatever it was that made him think Atlanta was a good option for expansion will be the same reason he allows a Coyotes, Islanders, or Panthers or Blue Jackets team to relocate to Atlanta, one fine day. Except this time, I think he knows … he can’t put dead weight in place, as ownership. That’s part of understanding the dynamics of the Atlanta market, where hockey is the 5th or 6th priority, in terms the entertainment dollars. In a city of 6 million people in 22 counties, it only takes 18,545 to fill the arena. That’s not a difficult task, UNLESS you’ve systematically driven away the hockey fans. Which is precisely what happened here, with respect to THIS PARTICULAR OWNERSHIP group. They drove away the hockey fans. Maybe deliberately, because they always had the intention to relocate this team. Think about that. They were TRYING to sell this team, as far back as 2005 or 2006. And why would they want to sell it, instead of trying to make it work? Answer: They thought they could make more money having concerts or other events at their venue, in lieu of hockey. So, really, this move was quite inevitable. We can argue, until Judgement Day, that if we’d soldout Philips Arena instead of boycotting it under the Waddell Regime, that the team wouldn’t have been sold. I’m not buying it. They just didn’t want to own a hockey team. And that’s it. They had no passion for it. So, they left Waddell in charge, knowing he’d never quit, and that he’d stick to the budget. In terms of driving away Thrashers fans, they didn’t care, because in their eyes, they could get fans of the opposing team to come out and support hockey enough to qualify for the revenue-sharing dollars it would take to offset all these losses, even at league miminum budget.
Nice guys, huh? They really CARED. They cared so much, that they IGNORED season ticket holders at every opportunity. Think the ticket reps didn’t tell Waddell that fans blamed him, and wouldn’t renew, BECAUSE of him? I’m sure the word got to him. In Waddell’s mind, I’m sure he was thinking, “Why walk away from GOOD money, if the ownership wasn’t going to fire him, no matter what.” So, here we are. But Don Waddell … you forgot one thing. You will always, always, always be the posterchild for failure for an NHL GM. You had nine Top 10 overall picks to build a franchise. Two 1st overalls, two 2nd overalls, a 3rd overall, a 4th overall, two 8th overalls, and a 10th overall. And that, friends, has nothing to do with budget. Those are GM decisions. You, Don Waddell, hired three head coaches, plus yourself twice, in failing to win a playoff game over a decade, with all that favorable draft position. That’s your legacy. You WILL OWN IT, Don Waddell. You EARNED it.
Brendan
June 19th, 2011
8:52 pm
ZAvalanche, I counted all of six (6) Ranger jerseys for each game, when we hosted those playoff games in 2007. We were told by local sports radio that the “Let’s Go Rangers!” chants would be overwhelming and embarrassing. I didn’t hear that chant, but from the six of them that showed up to support the Broadway Blueshirts. And that’s the truth. I was there.