Neilson to Return, but Ramsay in Charge

Roger Neilson will return to the Flyers for their playoff series against Pittsburgh, but he will not be behind the bench, team officials in Philadelphia announced.

Neilson, recovering from a stem-cell transplant for bone marrow cancer, will assist interim Coach Craig Ramsay when the Flyer-Penguin series begins this week.

Neilson and General Manager Bob Clarke discussed the decision at practice Monday. Dr. Isadore Brodsky said he did not want the 65-year-old Neilson returning to full-time coaching at this point.

“Although Roger is anxious to return as head coach, we need to be sure that he does not take on too much at this time and in any way adversely impact his recovery,” Brodsky said.

Neilson said he understood the reasons for limiting his return to work.

“Although I had hoped to come back as head coach, I am completely respectful of the doctors’ opinions,” he said.

Clarke said he was pleased Neilson would be helping Ramsay and called Neilson a “great asset.”

Ramsay said he didn’t think the team’s solid play lately had anything to do with the decision to keep Neilson from leading the team.

“I think the decision was made in the best interest of Roger,” Ramsay said. “This organization wants Roger to be healthy. We want him to work. We want him around. We want his insight and his enthusiasm.

“I don’t think it’s been uncomfortable for the team,” he added. “The team has played well.”

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Bill Ranford, who played 15 seasons as an NHL goalie, announced his retirement from the Edmonton Oilers--the team with which he won two Stanley Cups.

“Goaltending is tough on the body, and I wanted to be able to walk away from the game rather than crawl away from it,” said the 35-year-old veteran, who played parts of 10 seasons with the Oilers.

Ranford also played for Boston, Washington, Tampa Bay and Detroit--all since the 1995-96 season.

“The last four years, we’ve moved around a little,” Ranford said. “My youngest daughter turned 5 a week ago and has not lived longer in one place than seven months. I feel I owe it to her, let her start school in one spot.”