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Winnipeg fallout: Thrashers staffers face uncertain future, Manitoba Moose move

Craig Ramsay

Atlanta Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay talks to players after the Pittsburgh Penguins’ final goal of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, April 10, 2011, in Atlanta. Pittsburgh won 5-2. (AP Photo/John Amis)

AP

While the new Winnipeg team remains without a name, the faces of the franchise are coming into focus. It doesn’t look like many of those faces will be ones that were associated with the Atlanta Thrashers franchise, either.

Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that key members of the coaching staff (such as head coach Craig Ramsay) remain in holding patterns regarding their future with Winnipeg. It’s hard not to wonder if Ramsay and others* will need to find new jobs once newly selected GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and the True North brass make a decision about their staff.

* - Vivlamore mentions associate coach John Torchetti, assistant coach Mike Strothers and video coach Tony Borgford as other coaches who are awaiting word from True North.

The trend of hiring “their guys” continued today as Vivalmore reports that trainers and other behind-the-scenes staffers from the Thrashers days were let go. In some cases, those employees were replaced by Manitoba Moose workers (True North also owns the Moose).

Several members of the Thrashers support staff have already been told they will not have positions with the Winnipeg franchise – including the equipment managers, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning coach. None were considered for positions despite their tenure with the Thrashers. Head equipment manager Bobby Stewart spent 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 on Monday by Craig Heisinger, who was named Winnipeg’s senior vice president and assistant general manager. Heisinger was in Atlanta Monday, two days before being named to his new position, to inventory equipment and other physical assets of the sale.


Some might scowl at the decisions, but it’s important to note that True North didn’t hire the people associated with the Thrashers franchise. It’s reasonable to want to “buy your own groceries” so to speak, but Ramsay rightly hopes that they make their choices soon. Delaying those decisions will only make it tougher for spurned staffers to find work in the NHL, AHL or some other part of the hockey world and therefore make True North seem a tad bit cruel.

Should Winnipeg keep Ramsay?

Ramsay seems like the type of coach Winnipeg could use: a guy who is known for being a good “teacher” for young talent. With a roster full of youth and short on experience, it seems logical to keep him around. Then again, I thought it would be logical to keep Rick Dudley around as the general manager, but True North decided to can him for Cheveldayoff.

Moose on the move

Speaking of the Moose, TSN reports that the AHL approved the relocation of the team from Winnipeg to St. John’s, N.L. (Newfoundland and Labrador). The Thrashers relocation forced the move, but to little surprise, the Moose will be Winnipeg’s affiliate team in 2011-12.

Maybe one of these days those minor leaguers will even know what team they hope to play for?