Jim Ramsay has been with the New York Rangers as their Head Athletic Trainer since the 1994-95 season. Today, it was reported by Arthur Staple that the organization has decided to let him go.
Jim Ramsay has been a beloved member of this organization for nearly 30 years, so obviously, it came as a huge surprise when this news was first reported. The firing of head coach Gerard Gallant and now this news raises a ton of questions as to what could have happened behind closed doors.
We haven't heard any stories just yet as to what went into making this decision. The Rangers haven't had to deal with many injuries over the past couple of seasons, of course, Ryan Lindgren has been one of the only players that comes to mind who has dealt with injury issues, but it was Ramsay that was working with him to make sure he was ready to go come playoff time.
My speculation is now that the Rangers have turned a new leaf with their head coach, General Manager Chris Drury may want to bring in his own people throughout the entire organization. When someone has been around as long as Ramsay, it is only natural to have more of an old-school way of thinking, perhaps Drury wants his new bench boss as well as head athletic trainers to have more of an open-minded mentality.
Ramsay isn't only a legend in New York, he has always had a significant impact on the entire athletic training field as a whole. Throughout his career, he has played a very important role in helping establish the Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers Society, also known as "PHATS", which has paved the way and set an example for students and younger people that aspire to have a career in athletic training.
His passion for not only his profession but also for the team and the game in itself is one of the main reasons why Rangers fans have loved him for nearly three decades.
If the early signs of this offseason have taught us anything, it is that Chris Drury is clearly taking this team in a new direction, and it starts with the staff which will ultimately have a trickle-down effect on the way the players perform.
This came as a very big surprise, but it appears that we might have a Summer full of many more. The Rangers now have a lot of staff positions open, and it will be interesting to see what their next move will be.
Is it out with the old and in with the new? Time will tell.