After one of the most successful seasons in recent years, the Wichita Thunder are rewarding their head coach for his efforts.
The ECHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks and the AHL's San Diego Barracuda has announced that Head Coach Bruce Ramsay has agreed to a contract extension with the team.
Ramsay recently completed his sixth season behind the Thunder bench. The Dryden, Ontario native helped the club to its first post-season berth in four years. He equaled a career-high with 41 wins for the second time in his Wichita career, which is also a franchise high since joining the ECHL.
"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to continue building on what we accomplished this past season," Ramsay commented in a statement. "Looking back as a whole, I couldn't have been more proud with how our group performed. We had four of the top scorers in the league and also saw several players advance to the AHL level and be key contributors for the San Jose Barracuda. I want to thank Joel and the Steven family for the opportunity to take another step this next season.”
Ramsay guided the Thunder to a second place finish this past season in the Mountain Division with 89 points. Wichita had four players finish with 70 or more points and one more, Kobe Walker, with 66.
Peter Bates and Michal Stinil were named to the 2024-25 All-ECHL First Team. Bates earned the ECHL Sportsmanship Award, which is the first time in franchise history a Wichita player claimed that honor.
“This past season was successful in many areas, most notably culminating in a second-place finish in our division," Thunder General Manager Joel T. Lomurno stated. "I'm looking forward to seeing Coach Ramsay take this team to the next level this coming season. He continues to recruit solid young players to Wichita, grow our returning players and is well-respected by the San Jose organization.”
The veteran coach is entering his 19th year as a bench boss. In his first six seasons in Wichita, he has gone 193-179-49 and was named as the 2020-21 John Brophy Award winner as the ECHL Coach and GM of the Year.
He is familiar with the Air Capital, having played for the Thunder during the 2000-01 season. Ramsay recorded 35 points (11-24-35) and racked up 364 penalty minutes.
Over his 12-year playing career, he was a part of eight championship teams, winning four Colonial Cups and two Royal Bank Cups. He finished with 245 points (74-171-245) and 3,432 penalty minutes in 677 games as a pro.
After his playing career ended in 2005, Ramsay was named the Head Coach of the ACHL's St. Pete/Winston-Salem Parrots. Ramsay has made stops in several leagues, including the Port Huron Beacons (2002-04), Muskegon Fury (2004-08), Muskegon Lumberjacks and the Tulsa Oilers.
Overall, Ramsay has coached in 1,185 games, compiling a 575-490-120 record.
The Thunder will open their 2025-26 campaign against the Allen Americans on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Photo Courtesy of the Wichita Thunder