Lindy Ruff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lindy Ruff |
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Ruff at the 2006 NHL awards
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| Born | February 17, 1960 Warburg, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence/left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Buffalo Sabres New York Rangers |
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| Current NHL coach | Buffalo Sabres | ||
| Coached for | Dallas Stars New Jersey Devils |
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| NHL Draft | 32nd overall, 1979 Buffalo Sabres |
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| Playing career | 1979–1993 | ||
| Coaching career | 1993–present | ||
Lindy Cameron Ruff (born February 17, 1960) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach. He used to be a player too. Lindy Ruff is currently the head coach for the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL).
He coached the Sabres before, from 1997 to 2013. In 2006, he won the Jack Adams Award, which is given to the best coach. He also coached the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. Lindy Ruff has won over 600 games with the Sabres. This is the second-highest number of wins with one team in NHL history. As a player, he played for the Sabres and the New York Rangers. He was even the captain of the Sabres.
Lindy Ruff also helped coach the Canadian national team in the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. Canada won gold medals at both events.
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Playing Career
Lindy Ruff was picked by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1979 NHL draft. He was the 32nd player chosen overall. He played for the Sabres and the New York Rangers. Lindy Ruff was known as a tough and hardworking player.
One example of his toughness happened in a playoff game on May 10, 1980. He was playing against the New York Islanders. Their goalie, Billy Smith, hit Ruff with his stick. Ruff got right back up and went after the goalie.
Ruff played most of his NHL career with the Sabres. He was the team captain for almost three years. In 1989, he was traded to the Rangers. The Sabres used the draft pick they got for him to choose Richard Šmehlík. Šmehlík later played for several years under Ruff when Ruff became a coach.
Lindy Ruff played in 691 NHL games. He scored 105 goals and made 195 assists, totaling 300 points. He also spent a lot of time in the penalty box, with 1,264 penalty minutes. In 52 playoff games, he had 11 goals and 13 assists.
Coaching Career
Assistant Coach
Lindy Ruff started his coaching career as an assistant coach. He worked for the Florida Panthers from the 1993–94 season to the 1996–97 season. His biggest success as an assistant coach was in the 1995–96 season. The Florida Panthers made it to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Colorado Avalanche in four games.
Buffalo Sabres (First Time)
Lindy Ruff became the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres on July 21, 1997. He was one of many former Sabres players to become their head coach. He had success right away in Buffalo. The team reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the 1997–98 season.
In his second season as coach, the Sabres made it to the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. They lost to the Dallas Stars in six games. The Stars won with a goal scored deep into the third overtime period. In the next two seasons, Ruff's Sabres lost in the first and second rounds of the playoffs.
The Sabres missed the playoffs for three seasons before the 2004–05 NHL lockout. The team had financial problems during this time. After the lockout, Ruff led the Sabres to two more Eastern Conference Finals. They lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and the Ottawa Senators in 2007. Ruff was the longest-serving coach in the NHL at that time. He received a new contract for three years, with an option for a fourth.
Lindy Ruff was known for being very direct with the media. For example, in the 2005–06 season, a player from the Toronto Maple Leafs hit a Sabres player. Ruff was very clear about wanting the Maple Leafs player suspended. He said he would call the NHL office many times about it.
On April 5, 2006, Ruff became the 31st coach in NHL history to win 300 games. He was only the 16th coach to win that many games with just one team. In the 2006–07 season, Ruff led the Sabres to their best regular season ever. They had 53 wins, 22 losses, and 7 overtime losses, for a total of 113 points.
Ruff won the 2005–06 Jack Adams Award as the NHL's coach of the year. He was nominated again for the award in 2006–07. Alain Vigneault won that year, with Ruff placing second.
In February 2007, the NHL fined Ruff US$10,000 after a big incident with the Ottawa Senators. The NHL said Ruff caused the incident after a controversial hit on Sabres co-captain Chris Drury. Because the hit on Drury did not result in a penalty, Ruff sent out some of his team's tougher players. A large incident followed. The goalies even got involved. Ruff himself had a long shouting match with the Senators' coach. Many Sabres fans tried to raise money to pay Ruff's fine. Ruff said no to their offer and asked that the money be given to charity instead.
After a playoff game on April 27, 2007, Ruff was fined again by the NHL. He had strongly criticized the officials for missing a penalty call against the Rangers. He felt it could have given Buffalo a chance to tie the game.
In the 2006–07 season, Ruff became the first Sabres coach to lead the team to two straight seasons with 50 wins or more.
On October 15, 2008, Ruff became the 23rd coach in NHL history to win 400 games. He was only the seventh to win 400 games for one team.
Ruff was an associate coach for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Canada won the gold medal.
On January 6, 2011, Ruff became the 16th coach in NHL history to win 500 games. He was only the second to win 500 games while coaching just one team.
On January 8, 2011, Ruff became the winningest coach who only coached for one team in NHL history. The Sabres beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2–1 in overtime. His 501st win with the Sabres put him ahead of Toe Blake. Blake had 500 wins with the Montreal Canadiens.
On April 29, 2011, the Sabres announced that Ruff had signed a new contract.
On February 20, 2013, the Sabres announced that Ruff was no longer their coach. This ended his time as the NHL's longest-serving coach with one team. Ron Rolston took over as coach.
Dallas Stars
On June 20, 2013, the Dallas Stars announced they were hiring Lindy Ruff as their new head coach. This was on the same date as the controversial 1999 Stanley Cup Finals loss for the Sabres. On June 21, 2013, the Stars officially announced Ruff as their new head coach.
In 2014, Ruff led the Stars to their first playoff appearance since 2008. They lost in the first round to the Anaheim Ducks. Ruff coached the Central Division team in the 2015–16 All-Star Game.
On April 9, 2017, the Stars announced that Ruff would not return as head coach for the 2017–18 season.
New York Rangers (Assistant Coach)
On July 10, 2017, it was announced that Ruff was named an assistant coach for the New York Rangers.
New Jersey Devils
On July 9, 2020, Lindy Ruff was named head coach of the New Jersey Devils. On January 28, 2021, Ruff coached his 1,500th game in the NHL. The Devils lost that game to the Philadelphia Flyers. The Devils were trying to rebuild their team when Ruff was hired. They hoped to compete for the playoffs soon. However, the team struggled during his first two seasons.
Questions about Ruff's job continued into the 2022–23 season. Some people thought he might be replaced. After the Devils lost their first two games of the season, fans started chanting "Fire Lindy!" at their home arena. But the team quickly started winning. By the end of October, they were on a long winning streak. On November 12, after a 4–2 win, the team's ninth straight, the audience chanted "Sorry Lindy!" Ruff said he accepted the apology. The team's winning streak eventually reached 13 games, matching a team record.
On November 26, 2022, Ruff became the fifth NHL coach to win 800 games. This happened after a 5–1 win against the Washington Capitals. The Devils finished third in the NHL that season. Ruff was again a finalist for the Jack Adams Award. On May 17, 2023, the Devils' general manager announced that Ruff would stay as head coach.
On October 11, 2023, the Devils signed Ruff to a new contract. On December 16, 2023, Ruff earned his 850th NHL regular season win. He passed Ken Hitchcock for fourth place in all-time NHL regular season wins. On March 4, 2024, the Devils decided to let Ruff go. Travis Green took over as interim coach.
Return to Buffalo
On April 22, 2024, Lindy Ruff was hired again as head coach of the Sabres. He replaced Don Granato.
On April 17, 2025, Ruff won his 900th game. He became the fifth NHL head coach to reach this milestone.
Personal Life
Lindy Ruff's younger brother, Brent Ruff, was a hockey player. He was one of four teammates who died in a bus crash in 1986.
Another younger brother, Marty Ruff, was also drafted by an NHL team. However, he never played in an NHL game.
His older brother, Randy Ruff, played and coached in junior hockey.
Lindy Ruff and his wife, Gaye, have four children. Their names are Brett, Eryn, Madeline, and Brian. The Ruffs live in Clarence, New York.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1976–77 | Taber Golden Suns | AJHL | 60 | 13 | 33 | 46 | 112 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Lethbridge Broncos | WCHL | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Lethbridge Broncos | WCHL | 66 | 9 | 24 | 33 | 219 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 1978–79 | Lethbridge Broncos | WHL | 24 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 108 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1979–80 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 63 | 5 | 14 | 19 | 38 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 19 | ||
| 1980–81 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 65 | 8 | 18 | 26 | 121 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 23 | ||
| 1981–82 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 79 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 194 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 28 | ||
| 1982–83 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 60 | 12 | 17 | 29 | 130 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 47 | ||
| 1983–84 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 58 | 14 | 31 | 45 | 101 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | ||
| 1984–85 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 39 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 47 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 19 | ||
| 1985–86 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 54 | 20 | 12 | 32 | 158 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 50 | 6 | 14 | 20 | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 77 | 2 | 23 | 25 | 179 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 23 | ||
| 1988–89 | Buffalo Sabres | NHL | 63 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 86 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | New York Rangers | NHL | 13 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | ||
| 1989–90 | New York Rangers | NHL | 56 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 80 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 12 | ||
| 1990–91 | New York Rangers | NHL | 14 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Rochester Americans | AHL | 62 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 110 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | ||
| 1992–93 | San Diego Gulls | IHL | 81 | 10 | 32 | 42 | 100 | 14 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 26 | ||
| NHL totals | 691 | 105 | 195 | 300 | 1264 | 52 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 193 | ||||
Head coaching record
| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | T | OTL | Pts | Finish | W | L | Win % | Result | ||
| BUF | 1997–98 | 82 | 36 | 29 | 17 | — | 89 | 3rd in Northeast | 10 | 5 | .667 | Lost in conference finals (WSH) |
| BUF | 1998–99 | 82 | 37 | 28 | 17 | — | 91 | 4th in Northeast | 14 | 7 | .667 | Lost in Stanley Cup Finals (DAL) |
| BUF | 1999–00 | 82 | 35 | 32 | 11 | 4 | 85 | 3rd in Northeast | 1 | 4 | .200 | Lost in conference quarterfinals (PHI) |
| BUF | 2000–01 | 82 | 46 | 30 | 5 | 1 | 98 | 2nd in Northeast | 7 | 6 | .538 | Lost in conference semifinals (PIT) |
| BUF | 2001–02 | 82 | 35 | 35 | 11 | 1 | 82 | 5th in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2002–03 | 82 | 27 | 37 | 10 | 8 | 72 | 5th in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2003–04 | 82 | 37 | 34 | 7 | 4 | 85 | 5th in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2005–06 | 82 | 52 | 24 | — | 6 | 110 | 2nd in Northeast | 11 | 7 | .611 | Lost in conference finals (CAR) |
| BUF | 2006–07 | 82 | 53 | 22 | — | 7 | 113 | 1st in Northeast | 9 | 7 | .563 | Lost in conference finals (OTT) |
| BUF | 2007–08 | 82 | 39 | 31 | — | 12 | 90 | 4th in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2008–09 | 82 | 41 | 32 | — | 9 | 91 | 3rd in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2009–10 | 82 | 45 | 27 | — | 10 | 100 | 1st in Northeast | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in conference quarterfinals (BOS) |
| BUF | 2010–11 | 82 | 43 | 29 | — | 10 | 96 | 3rd in Northeast | 3 | 4 | .429 | Lost in conference quarterfinals (PHI) |
| BUF | 2011–12 | 82 | 39 | 32 | — | 11 | 89 | 3rd in Northeast | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| BUF | 2012–13 | 17 | 6 | 10 | — | 1 | 13 | (fired) | — | — | — | — |
| BUF total | 1,165 | 571 | 432 | 78 | 84 | 57 | 44 | .564 | 8 playoff appearances | |||
| DAL | 2013–14 | 82 | 40 | 31 | — | 11 | 91 | 5th in Central | 2 | 4 | .333 | Lost in first round (ANA) |
| DAL | 2014–15 | 82 | 41 | 31 | — | 10 | 92 | 6th in Central | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| DAL | 2015–16 | 82 | 50 | 23 | — | 9 | 109 | 1st in Central | 7 | 6 | .538 | Lost in second round (STL) |
| DAL | 2016–17 | 82 | 34 | 37 | — | 11 | 79 | 6th in Central | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| DAL total | 328 | 165 | 122 | — | 41 | 9 | 10 | .474 | 2 playoff appearances | |||
| NJD | 2020–21 | 56 | 19 | 30 | — | 7 | 45 | 7th in East | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| NJD | 2021–22 | 82 | 27 | 46 | — | 9 | 63 | 7th in Metropolitan | — | — | — | Missed playoffs |
| NJD | 2022–23 | 82 | 52 | 22 | — | 8 | 112 | 2nd in Metropolitan | 5 | 7 | .417 | Lost in second round (CAR) |
| NJD | 2023–24 | 61 | 30 | 27 | — | 4 | 64 | (fired) | — | — | — | — |
| NJD total | 281 | 128 | 125 | — | 28 | 5 | 7 | .417 | 1 playoff appearance | |||
| BUF | 2024–25 | 82 | 36 | 39 | — | 7 | 79 | 7th in Atlantic | — | — | — | — |
| BUF total | 1,247 | 607 | 471 | 78 | 91 | 57 | 44 | .564 | 0 playoff appearances | |||
| Total | 1,856 | 900 | 718 | 78 | 160 | 66 | 54 | .538 | 11 playoff appearances | |||
See also
- Captain (ice hockey)
- List of National Hockey League head coaching wins and point percentage leaders
