NEW YORK -- Craig Ramsay won't be coach of the Winnipeg franchise.
The Thrashers head coach, who interviewed for his position with the soon-to-be-relocated franchise Saturday, was informed by general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff Monday that we would not be retained.
Ramsay had one year remaining on the contract he signed to coach the Thrashers before last season.
“The whole situation was pretty awkward,” Ramsay told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Kevin handled his part well. They just didn’t feel they could make a significant commitment to me. He must have had other coaches in mind.”
Associate coach John Torchetti and assistant coach Mike Stothers were also informed they would not be retained.
The Thrashers' sale and relocation to Manitoba becomes official Tuesday at the NHL’s Board of Governors meeting in New York City. Most of the Thrashers' support staff had already been told it will not accompany the team to Winnipeg.
“It was tough on everybody,” Ramsay said. “It’s too bad it took so long. … I’ve been in the league for 40 years. I don’t want to stop coaching. Hopefully, something pops up. It will work out.”
Ramsay was an assistant for the previous three seasons with Boston, which just won the Stanley Cup. He is visiting family in Minnesota, where the NHL draft will be held later this week. Ramsay said he hopes to talk to team officials about possible openings.
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