Boston’s Loss is Atlanta’s gain in Rammer
The Atlanta Thrashers are without a doubt shaping up to be a good team in the years to come.
A day after they acquired four Chicago Blackhawks, including Dustin Byfuglien, they are set to announce Craig Ramsay as their new coach. Also, they will be adding another Hawk, John Torchetti as his assistant.
Ramsay is coming off his third year with the Boston Bruins and he will truly be missed. Ramsay offers a cool-calm-collected head during times when emotions are high. He is often the good cop when it comes to head coaches. During his time in Tampa Bay, where he won a Stanley Cup, he teamed up with John Tortorella. Bruins fans are well aware of Claude Julien’s temper.
I spoke with Jay Feaster, GM of the Lightning during their 2003-04 Cup run and he was quick to point out the many characteristics that Ramsay brought to the table. He said of how he treats the players like they are equal and will work with them on improving their weaknesses, opposed to the yelling and screaming route.
Thrashers GM Rick Dudley definitely knew what he was doing bringing Torchetti, who was serving as a associate coach with the Hawks. If all goes well, chances are he will be leading the ship once Ramsay hangs them up. Having four Blackhawks to boot for him in the locker room will make his transition down south much easier.
I have to give another shoutout to Jay Feaster, because in an April 19th blog with The Hockey News, he said to expect either Ramsay or Torchetti to be the next head coach in Atlanta.
The Bruins are going to miss having Ramsay behind the bench. He is great with young players, something the Bruins and Thrashers aren’t lacking.
Here is to hoping that Claude Julien and the Bruins will be able to move on without their good cop.
Brandon Macdonald
NHLHS Boston Bruins Correspondent
bmacdonald@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter @bMacdonald8
