Ramsay Confident In Goalkeepers
Published on September 28, 2009 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Tulsa Oilers News Release
You can't blame Tulsa Oilers coach Bruce Ramsay for having confidence in his goaltending tandem of Kevin Armstrong and Marty Magers. Be he doesn't want you to take his word for it.
Armstrong led Ramsay's Muskegon team to the Turner Cup final in the International Hockey League last year. Recenlty he played a total of 50 minutes for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, surrendering just one goal. That impressed Wolves officials such as general manager Wendell Young, who knows a thing or two about goaltenders.
"He told me, 'You've got a hellava goaltender there,'" Ramsay said of his conversation with Young. Young was an NHL goaltender for 10 years and has played on teams that won the Stanley Cup, Calder Cup (AHL), Turner Cup (IHL), and Memorial Cup (Canadian Major Jr. A). So when he talks about goalies, people listen.
Armstrong, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, joined Ramsay's Muskegon team at the end of last season, from Prince George in the Western Hockey League. In seven regular games he had a 4.24 goals against average and .875 save percentage with one shutout. In nine playoff games his goals against average was 3.41 and his save percentage was .913.
Pretty heady pro numbers for a 20-year old at the time. Armstrong turned 21 this summer.
"He came in and stole our number one spot," Ramsay said of Armstrong.
"He was one of our best players and he's the main reason we made it to the finals." And Ramsay also likes the depth and competition in the Oilers goaltending with 26-year old Marty Magers also in camp.
"He's a goalie I tried to recruit in the IHL, and brings leadership and is capable of being a number one goalie," Ramsay said.
Having coached against Magers in the IHL, Ramsay was able to land the 2002 fourth round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres when he became coach of the Oilers.
Last season with Rocky Mountain, Magers, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, appeared in 31 games, was 14-12-2 with a goals against average of 2.83 and a .909 save percentage.
Ramsay has confidence in both Armstrong and Magers. "With the combination of these two goalies, we have all the attributes for a great combination. It'll be good friendly competition."
Pushing those two in training camp will be Bryan Hince, 6-foot, 178 pounder who was a standout at Plattsburgh State the past two seasons. In two seasons, he played in 53 games, going 44-7-2 with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.
He was named SUNYAC Goaltender of the Week nine times in 2008-09 and made 55 combined saves in the SUNYAC semifinals and finals. "Bryan has been a standout college goalie. We're going to be deep in goal, that's for sure," Ramsay said.
The Oilers begin training camp on Monday October 5th. They will have an intra squad game on Tuesday October 6th at the Oilers Ice Center (64th and Mingo) at 7 p.m. that game will be free to season ticket holders and $10 for non season ticket holders.
The Oilers start the CHL regular season on Friday October 16th at Mississippi. The home opener for the Oilers in their 18th CHL season will be Saturday October 24th at 7:35 against the Wichita Thunder. Season tickets for the Oilers 2009-10 season in the BOK Center are available by calling the Oilers at (918) 632-PUCK (7825).
Central Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2009
- Eagles Add Two More To Camp Roster - Colorado Eagles
- Sundogs Add NHL Experience to Lineup in Forward Matt Foy - Arizona Sundogs
- Ramsay Confident In Goalkeepers - Tulsa Oilers
- Sundogs Announce Marketing Campaign for 2009-10 Season - Arizona Sundogs
- Bucks Help Raise $11,000 For WINGS - Laredo Bucks
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