Craig Ramsay sits and waits.
The Thrashers’ head coach still doesn’t know if he will join his team when it relocates to Winnipeg next season. Other members of the organization already have been told not to pack their bags.
Ramsay finally spoke to a representative from Winnipeg on Thursday evening — 10 days after the deal was announced that the Atlanta Spirit would sell the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment. The relocation to Manitoba is pending approval of the NHL on June 21.
Ramsay spoke to Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, whose hiring was announced Wednesday. Thrashers GM Rick Dudley was told Sunday he would not be retained.
“It’s very unnerving not knowing what the future holds,” Ramsay told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Friday.
Ramsay said he was told by Cheveldayoff that a decision has not been made about the coaching staff. The still unnamed Winnipeg organization would meet throughout the weekend before making a final decision, he was told. Associate coach John Torchetti, assistant coach Mike Stothers and video coach Tony Borgford also wait to hear their future.
Several members of the Thrashers’ support staff have been told they will not have positions in Winnipeg — including the equipment managers, athletic trainers and strength-and-conditioning coach. Head equipment manager Bobby Stewart spent all 12 years with the Thrashers and 26 years with the Flames organization in Atlanta and Calgary.
The Thrashers’ staff was informed of Winnipeg’s decision Monday by Craig Heisinger, the team’s senior vice president and assistant general manager. Heisinger was in Atlanta on Monday, two days before being named to his new position, to inventory equipment and other physical assets of the sale.
“It’s awkward,” Ramsay said. “We are hockey people, but we are also people. There are other jobs. ... I just asked him to [make a decision] expeditiously.”
Several open positions in hockey, both at the NHL and AHL level, have been filled since the sale and relocation of the Thrashers became imminent.
Ramsay became the fifth head coach in Thrashers history before last season. He concluded his first full season as an NHL head coach with the disappointment of missing the playoffs, but was looking forward to continued work in the organization. He may not get that chance.
“I didn’t think it would end like this,” said Ramsay, a long-time assistant who left Boston after the three previous seasons. “I can’t look into the future. I saw what I thought was a good opportunity to work with someone I had known for years [in Dudley]. I thought we could improve the team. I’m sorry we didn’t get there.”
Thrashers strength-and-conditioning coach Barry Brennan has been in Atlanta the past week and has begun work with current players. He worked with Eric Boulton and Chris Thorburn on Friday.
“They have to be prepared to play in Winnipeg, and I’m happy to help them for as long as I’m here,” Brennan said.
Thrashers vice president and assistant general manager Larry Simmons has yet to be informed of his future. President Don Waddell said last week he will not be a part of the Winnipeg franchise.
