Lindy Ruff Biography

Lindy Ruff has forged an incredible legacy in the NHL as a player and a coach, most notably with the Buffalo Sabres. He has worked his way into the top five all-time in terms of NHL coaching victories and is now in his second stint leading the Sabres.

Ruff began his head coaching career with Buffalo in 1997, guiding the franchise for 15 seasons. In that initial stint, he led his teams to eight playoff appearances, 571 wins, and two Northeast Division titles. During his second season at the helm, the Sabres made it to the Stanley Cup Final.

Ruff also won the Jack Adams Award in 2006 after Buffalo made the Conference Finals. He went on to spend four seasons each leading the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils. He was rehired in Buffalo in 2024.

As a player, Ruff spent 12 seasons in the NHL from with the Sabres and New York Rangers 1979 to 1991. Ruff got his start in professional hockey after being selected with the 32nd overall pick by Buffalo in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.

During his time in the league, he was one of the top defensemen, playing stellar defense and adding 105 goals and 195 assists for a total of 300 points in 691 career games. He also added 11 goals and 13 assists for a total of 24 points in 52 career playoff games. 

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