Bruce Ramsay, Tulsa Oilers
Head Coach
In his third season as Head Coach of the Tulsa Oilers, Bruce Ramsay wants to build on the success of last season in which the Oilers had their most productive season in 17 years.
The Oilers finished the season ten games over .500 with a record of 35-25-7 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs where they lost to the eventual champion, Shreveport Mudbugs, in a 5 game series that went the distance.
Coach Ramsay’s new lifetime record is 260-185-50, with winning percentage of .576.
“The goal is always to win the championship,” Ramsay said. “That’s what it’s all about and that’s what people remember. If it’s not your goal, you’re in the wrong business.”
And he knows a thing or 10 about winning titles. Throughout his playing career, Ramsay played on 10 championship teams. And he is eager to create that kind of championship buzz in the BOK Center.
“I had heard the fans really support the Oilers, but I didn’t realize how much the community wants this team to succeed until I got here and everybody was telling me good luck, asking what they can do to help, and it was really great to hear. Now we just have to give the winning team they deserve. And we will.”
Longtime astute observers of the CHL may remember Ramsay with the 2000-01 Wichita Thunder. In classic “Rammer” style, he collected 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points that year, all while also serving 364 penalty minutes. No one could ever accuse him of being shy from the rough stuff.
Ramsay had more than 300 penalty minutes eight times in his career and twice went over the 400 mark. But even with that, he also had double digits in goals four times in his career, and never had a full season where he had less than double digits in points.
After three years as a player assistant coach at the end of his playing career, Ramsay began his head coaching career in St. Petersburg, Fla., in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. He then had stops in Port Huron and Muskegon in the United Hockey League (later the International Hockey League which has teamed with the CHL this season) and in seven seasons as a head coach has compiled a .576 winning percentage at 225-160-43.
He envisions a young enthusiastic, hungry team. “Our guys are going to leave everything on the ice every game. No team should ever outwork us.”
And that will lead to more progress and Ramsay hopes the ultimate goal.