Former Oilers pay tribute to ‘Rossco’
Longtime video coach remembered for his loyalty and optimism Monday
There were four former Edmonton Oilers head coaches and enough guests to fill both chapels at the Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home on Monday at the memorial for former Edmonton Oilers video coach Brian Ross.
Glen Sather, Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish and Ron Low were among coaches, players, trainers, friends and family who paid tribute to the 54-year-old Ross, who lost his two-year battle with cancer on April 30.
MacTavish worked with Ross for 10 years and continued their friendship long after he stepped away as coach. He spoke about “Rossco” being one of the toughest, most loyal and most optimistic people he’s ever met.
“Brian was tough, we all saw that through his struggle,” he said of his former practice goalie, who spent many a day serving as target practice for the Oilers. “He would fearlessly put on the goal gear as players would ring shots off his throat, collarbone, mask. The welts were unbelievable when he’d take his gear off in the backroom. And never a peep from Brian.”
Ross’s optimism and love for the Oilers, joked MacTavish, often seeped into his work as a video coach.
“His record on video review outcomes was poor,” said MacTavish, drawing laughter from the gathering. “And that was because of his optimism. His judgment and decisions were always based on best possible outcome for the Oilers. He was 2-17 in 19 career reviews.”
But it was also a quality that served him well in his battle with cancer.
Ross wouldn’t even discuss the possibility of not beating the disease, which probably was why he was able to fight it long past any doctor’s prognosis.
“He lived his life on his terms, accomplished a lot and enjoyed himself, family and friends immensely,” said MacTavish. “There have been many great people in and out of that Oilers dressing room and Brian is undoubtedly one of them. And that isn’t bad for a goalie with a .460 practice save percentage and the heart of a lion.”
Former Edmonton Eskimos Tom Richards delivered an emotional nine-minute tribute to his friend of 37 years, speaking about his loyalty and generosity, of a person who always made others feel good about themselves.
“He always made them feel so important, like they were the most important person in the room. And he always made you feel welcome.”
Ross’s son Dustin talked about the great times they had when he was a kid, then reconnecting again as an adult.
“It was good to be able to sit, even under these circumstances, in a hospital and watch hockey and crack jokes and go over all these stories again. It meant the world to me and I know it did to him as well.”
It was Sather who brought Ross into the organization, hiring him to work in the Oilers store in West Edmonton Mall. It was the start of a working relationship and friendship that lasted more than 30 years.
“Brian became a very special friend to me and our entire family,” said Sather. “We knew we had a true friend, always happy to help wherever and whenever he could and he’d do it with that winning smile of his.
“Over the years we’ve hunted ducks, fished in the Arctic, cried over lost games and celebrated our Stanley Cups together.
“Brian was honest, tough, eager, resilient and loyal. Those are the qualities you would seek in any teammate, friend, employee and son. He made us all better, he made our team better. He made Edmonton a better place to live.”