Craig Ramsay
Encyclopedia
Craig Ramsay is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left winger
who played in the NHL
from 1971 to 1985 and the final head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers
.
in 1968. Ramsay spent four seasons in Peterborough where he excelled at the game. He caught the attention of many scouts and in 1971
he was drafted 19th overall by the Buffalo Sabres
in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft
. In 1971–72
, Ramsay played a couple of games in the American Hockey League
before being called up by the Sabres. He was paired up with his close friend Don Luce
and together, the two formed a formidable offensive-defensive line that shut out many of the NHL
's top lines. In 1974–75
, the Sabres drafted young prospect Danny Gare
and he was paired up with Ramsay and Luce. The Sabres that year made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals
before being defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers
. Ramsay had a total tally of 12 points during that run. With the addition of Dany Gare, Ramsay's line became not only a threat defensively but also offensively. Ramsay had eight consecutive 20 goal seasons and was selected to play in the 1976 NHL All-Star Game. His linemate, Gare scored a total of 56 goals in 1979–80
. Ramsay played for ten seasons for the Sabres which included playing 776 games consecutively. In 1984–85
, Ramsay was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy
for his defensive capabilities as a forward. Ramsay retired shortly afterwards ending a 14 year career with the Sabres which included 1,070 career NHL games, 252 goals and 420 assists for 672 points. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 to honor his playing career with the club.
in 1986–87
and served as interim head coach late in the year posting a 4–15–2 record. He also served as the team director of player personnel and assistant general manager with the Sabres. In 1992–93, Ramsay left the Sabres organization and joined the Florida Panthers
as assistant coach. He stayed there until 1995 before joining the Ottawa Senators
also as an assistant coach. In 1997–98, Ramsay joined the Philadelphia Flyers
. He was named interim head coach in 1999–2000 midway through the season and guided the team to a 16–8–1–0 mark while claiming the Atlantic Division
with 105 points. He led the team all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup
champions, New Jersey Devils
. Ramsey remained with the Flyers organization in 2000–01 before being fired after 28 games as the Flyers went 12–12–4–0 to start the season. Ramsay was picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning
in 2001 as an assistant coach. There, Ramsay won his first Stanley Cup ever in 2004
as the Lightning beat the Calgary Flames
in seven games. In 2006–07, he joined the Boston Bruins
as another assistant coach. The Bruins made the playoffs every year and finished first in the Eastern Conference
in 2008–09
. On June 24, 2010, he was named the head coach for the Atlanta Thrashers
. He was dismissed by the team's new ownership group, True North Sports and Entertainment following the Thrasher's relocation to Winnipeg
, Manitoba.
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
from 1971 to 1985 and the final head coach of the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
.
Playing career
Craig Ramsay began his hockey career with the Peterborough PetesPeterborough Petes
The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:...
in 1968. Ramsay spent four seasons in Peterborough where he excelled at the game. He caught the attention of many scouts and in 1971
1970-71 NHL season
The 1970–71 NHL season was the 54th season of the National Hockey League. Two new teams, the Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks made their debuts and were both put into the East Division. The Chicago Black Hawks were moved to the West Division...
he was drafted 19th overall by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft
1971 NHL Amateur Draft
The 1971 NHL Amateur Draft was held on June 10, 1971 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. In 1971–72
1971-72 NHL season
-Final:New York Rangers vs. Boston BruinsBoston Bruins win the best-of-seven series 4 games to 2 for the Stanley Cup-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:-Scoring leaders:-Leading goaltenders:...
, Ramsay played a couple of games in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
before being called up by the Sabres. He was paired up with his close friend Don Luce
Don Luce
Donald Harold Luce is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings and Buffalo Sabres from 1969 to 1982...
and together, the two formed a formidable offensive-defensive line that shut out many of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's top lines. In 1974–75
1974-75 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL.-Scoring leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = PointsSource: NHL.-Leading goaltenders:...
, the Sabres drafted young prospect Danny Gare
Danny Gare
Daniel Mirl Gare is a retired National Hockey League player, most notably of the Buffalo Sabres. During a 14-year professional career, Gare also played for the Detroit Red Wings and Edmonton Oilers. He was a two-time All-Star right winger who twice scored 50 goals for the Buffalo Sabres,...
and he was paired up with Ramsay and Luce. The Sabres that year made it all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals
Stanley Cup Finals
The Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
before being defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Ramsay had a total tally of 12 points during that run. With the addition of Dany Gare, Ramsay's line became not only a threat defensively but also offensively. Ramsay had eight consecutive 20 goal seasons and was selected to play in the 1976 NHL All-Star Game. His linemate, Gare scored a total of 56 goals in 1979–80
1979-80 NHL season
The 1979–80 NHL season was the 63rd season of the National Hockey League. This season saw the addition of four teams from the disbanded World Hockey Association as expansion franchises. The Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, New England Whalers , and Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL, bringing the total...
. Ramsay played for ten seasons for the Sabres which included playing 776 games consecutively. In 1984–85
1984-85 NHL season
The 1984–85 NHL season was the 68th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one in the final series.-League business:...
, Ramsay was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy
Frank J. Selke Trophy
The Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
for his defensive capabilities as a forward. Ramsay retired shortly afterwards ending a 14 year career with the Sabres which included 1,070 career NHL games, 252 goals and 420 assists for 672 points. He was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 1986 to honor his playing career with the club.
Coaching career
Following Ramsay's retirement, he was named the assistant coach for the Buffalo SabresBuffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in 1986–87
1986-87 NHL season
-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL-Scoring Leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals-Leading goaltenders:...
and served as interim head coach late in the year posting a 4–15–2 record. He also served as the team director of player personnel and assistant general manager with the Sabres. In 1992–93, Ramsay left the Sabres organization and joined the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
as assistant coach. He stayed there until 1995 before joining the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
also as an assistant coach. In 1997–98, Ramsay joined the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He was named interim head coach in 1999–2000 midway through the season and guided the team to a 16–8–1–0 mark while claiming the Atlantic Division
Atlantic Division (NHL)
The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won...
with 105 points. He led the team all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before being eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champions, New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Ramsey remained with the Flyers organization in 2000–01 before being fired after 28 games as the Flyers went 12–12–4–0 to start the season. Ramsay was picked up by the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in 2001 as an assistant coach. There, Ramsay won his first Stanley Cup ever in 2004
2004 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2003–04 season. As a culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Western Conference champion Calgary Flames...
as the Lightning beat the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
in seven games. In 2006–07, he joined the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
as another assistant coach. The Bruins made the playoffs every year and finished first in the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
in 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
. On June 24, 2010, he was named the head coach for the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
. He was dismissed by the team's new ownership group, True North Sports and Entertainment following the Thrasher's relocation to Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba.
Awards and achievements
- Played in 1976 NHL All-Star Game.
- Frank J. Selke TrophyFrank J. Selke TrophyThe Frank J. Selke Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game. The winner is selected by a poll of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association following the regular season. It has been awarded 33 times to...
winner in 19851984-85 NHL seasonThe 1984–85 NHL season was the 68th season of the National Hockey League. The Edmonton Oilers won their second straight Stanley Cup by beating the Philadelphia Flyers four games to one in the final series.-League business:...
. - Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion in 20042004 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2003–04 season. As a culmination of the 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Western Conference champion Calgary Flames...
(as assistant coach).
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1967–68 | Peterborough Petes Peterborough Petes The Peterborough Petes are a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League. The team has played in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, since 1956, and is the oldest continuously operating team in the league.-History:... |
OHA Ontario Hockey Association The Ontario Hockey Association is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior level ice hockey teams in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation along with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Other Ontario sanctioning bodies along with the... |
40 | 6 | 13 | 19 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 1968–69 | Peterborough Petes | OHA | 54 | 11 | 28 | 39 | 20 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | ||
| 1969–70 | Peterborough Petes | OHA | 54 | 27 | 41 | 68 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 7 | ||
| 1970–71 | Peterborough Petes | OHA | 58 | 30 | 76 | 106 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 1971–72 1971–72 AHL season The 1971–72 AHL season was the 36th season of the American Hockey League. Major changes occurred in the off-season. The league welcomed four expansion teams, and lost both Quebec-based teams. Eleven teams played 76 games each in the schedule. The Boston Braves finished first overall in the regular... |
Cincinnati Swords Cincinnati Swords The Cincinnati Swords are a defunct American Hockey League team, founded in 1971, when the newly created NHL expansion team, Buffalo Sabres, exercised their option to create their own AHL farm team to replace the team they forced out of the AHL, the Buffalo Bisons... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
19 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1971–72 | Buffalo Sabres Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
57 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1972–73 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 11 | 17 | 28 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1973–74 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 78 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1974–75 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 26 | 17 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 1975–76 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 22 | 49 | 71 | 34 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1976–77 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 20 | 41 | 61 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1977–78 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 28 | 43 | 71 | 18 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 9 | ||
| 1978–79 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 26 | 31 | 57 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1979–80 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 21 | 39 | 60 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1980–81 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 24 | 35 | 59 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1981–82 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 80 | 16 | 35 | 51 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1982–83 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 64 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 1983–84 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 76 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1984–85 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 79 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 1070 | 252 | 420 | 672 | 201 | 89 | 17 | 31 | 48 | 27 | ||||
NHL coaching record
| Team | |Regular season | BUF Buffalo Sabres The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:... |
1986–87 | 21 | 4 | 15 | 2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (64) | 5th in Adams Adams Division The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins... |
(Interim) | |||||||
| PHI Philadelphia Flyers The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
2000–01 | 28 | 12 | 12 | 4 | 0 | (100) | 2nd in Atlantic Atlantic Division (NHL) The NHL's Atlantic Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Patrick Division. It is the only division in the NHL where all of its current members have won the Stanley Cup at least twice, though only three teams have won... |
(Fired) |
| ATL Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season... |
2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
82 | 34 | 36 | |||||
| 12 | 80 | 4th in Southeast Southeast Division (NHL) The NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era .... |
Missed playoffs | ||||||
| Total | 131 | 50 | 63 | 6 | 12 | ||||