Tulsa Oilers Coach Heads to Grand Rapids Griffins

The Grand Rapids Griffins have rebuilt their coaching staff, and that includes new assistant coach Bruce Ramsay. Ramsay was the head coach of the Tulsa Oilers in the ECHL.

Todd Nelson, who is a former team mate of Ramsay, was recently named the new head coach of the Griffins. The two played together with Grand Rapids in the 1990s.

“This is an incredible opportunity for me and my family and I want to thank Todd Nelson and the entire Griffins organization for believing in my abilities,” said Ramsay via press release. “Although I am excited for the next step in my career, it is very difficult to leave Tulsa. I am extremely proud of what we were able to accomplish in six years and the Oilers’ front office staff, players, and certainly the fans, will always hold a special place for me and my family. We are so grateful for their support and their friendship.

“I want to say a special thank you to our owners, Rodney, Brandon, and Johnny Steven, my friend and General Manager, Taylor Hall, our former owner Jeff Lund, and every single one of our players for making these last six years the best years of my life,” Ramsay remarked. “The owners and the staff were always behind us and gave me the tools to succeed and improve. I feel so fortunate to have the privilege to coach so many outstanding players and I thank each and every one of them for their hard work, their sacrifice, and their respect.”

Ramsay brought the Oilers to three playoff appearances in the ECHL in his six years as their coach. He is second all time in Oilers history in wins in the regular season, playoff wins, and games coached in all. His overall record was 185-178-35, which is a winning percentage of .507.

According to the press release, in the 2011 season Ramsay coached the Oilers to their first playoff appearance in 17 seasons. This past season was the organization’s first season in the ECHL, and they had their second best season in the history of the franchise.

It took just one season of ECHL hockey for Ramsay to get noticed and promoted to an AHL roster. The Oilers were and are one of the only remaining independent ECHL clubs, without an NHL or an AHL affiliate. The only other independents remaining are Wichita and the Colorado Eagles, a new team in the league.