History of Lindy Ruff in Timeline

Lindy Cameron Ruff is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously coached the Sabres from 1997 to 2013 and has also been the head coach of the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. Ruff won the Jack Adams Award in 2006. As a player, he played in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Rangers, captaining the former.

February 17, 1960: Lindy Cameron Ruff is Born

On February 17, 1960, Lindy Cameron Ruff, a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player, was born.

1979: Buffalo Sabres Select Ruff in the NHL Entry Draft

In 1979, Lindy Ruff was selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 32nd overall, of the NHL Entry Draft.

1979: Fifth-Best Points Percentage Since 1979

In the 2006–07 season, the Buffalo Sabres under Lindy Ruff boasted the fifth-best points percentage in the NHL since 1979.

May 10, 1980: Ruff Tackles Goaltender Billy Smith

On May 10, 1980, during a playoff game, New York Islanders goaltender Billy Smith struck Lindy Ruff with his stick. Ruff retaliated by tackling the goaltender, solidifying his reputation as a tough and hardworking player.

1986: Brother's Death

Lindy Ruff's younger brother, Brent Ruff, was one of four teammates killed in a bus crash while playing for the Swift Current Broncos in 1986.

1989: The Buffalo Sabres Trade Ruff to the New York Rangers

In 1989, Lindy Ruff was traded from the Buffalo Sabres to the New York Rangers at the NHL trade deadline in exchange for a draft pick, which the Sabres used to select Richard Šmehlík.

1993: Ruff Becomes Assistant Coach of the Florida Panthers

Lindy Ruff became assistant coach of the Florida Panthers for the 1993–94 season, a position he held until 1996–97 season.

1995: The Florida Panthers Make it to the Stanley Cup Finals

In 1995, Lindy Ruff and the Florida Panthers made it to the Stanley Cup finals but were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche.

1996: Ruff Concludes Stint as Assistant Coach of the Florida Panthers

In 1996, Lindy Ruff concluded his stint as assistant coach of the Florida Panthers.

July 21, 1997: Ruff is Named the 15th Head Coach of the Buffalo Sabres

On July 21, 1997, Lindy Ruff was named the 15th head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

1997: Ruff Begins First Stint as Head Coach of the Buffalo Sabres

In 1997, Lindy Ruff began his first stint as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres, a position he held from 1997 to 2013.

1999: The Buffalo Sabres Make it to the Stanley Cup Finals

In 1999, Lindy Ruff and the Buffalo Sabres made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, but were defeated by the Dallas Stars.

1999: Anniversary of Controversial Stanley Cup Finals Defeat

June 20, 2013, was also the anniversary of the controversial defeat of the Buffalo Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999.

2004: The NHL Lockout Begins

In 2004, amidst the team's bankruptcy and financial problems, the Buffalo Sabres, along with the rest of the NHL, entered a lockout.

2005: Ruff Calls for Darcy Tucker's Suspension

In 2005, Lindy Ruff made headlines for his blunt comments about Darcy Tucker of the Toronto Maple Leafs after Tucker made a questionable hit on Jochen Hecht, knocking Hecht out of the lineup for two weeks. Ruff called Tucker's hit "an absolute joke" and called for his suspension.

2005: Ruff Wins the Jack Adams Award

In 2005, Lindy Ruff was awarded the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL's coach of the year.

April 5, 2006: Ruff Wins his 300th Game as Coach in the NHL

On April 5, 2006, Lindy Ruff won his 300th game as a coach in the NHL.

2006: Back-to-Back 50-Win Seasons

In 2006, Lindy Ruff became the first Buffalo Sabres coach to lead the team to back-to-back 50-win seasons.

2006: Ruff is Nominated for the Jack Adams Award

In 2006, Lindy Ruff was nominated for the Jack Adams Award for the second time.

2006: One of the Most Memorable Brawls of the Season

In 2006, a game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Ottawa Senators resulted in one of the most memorable hockey brawls of the season.

2006: The Buffalo Sabres Lose to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals

In 2006, the Buffalo Sabres lost to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals.

2006: Ruff Wins the Jack Adams Award

Lindy Ruff won the Jack Adams Award in 2006 while coaching the Buffalo Sabres.

February 2007: Ruff is Fined For Precipitating a Brawl

In February 2007, Lindy Ruff was fined $10,000 by the NHL for precipitating a brawl following a questionable hit on then co-captain Chris Drury by Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators.

April 27, 2007: Ruff is Fined by the NHL for Criticizing Officials

On April 27, 2007, Lindy Ruff was fined by the NHL again, this time for criticizing the officials after an alleged missed too-many-men call during a playoff game against the New York Rangers.

2007: The Buffalo Sabres Lose to the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference Finals

In 2007, the Buffalo Sabres lost to the Ottawa Senators in the Eastern Conference finals.

October 15, 2008: 400 NHL Wins

On October 15, 2008, Lindy Ruff became the 23rd coach in NHL history to win 400 games, and just the seventh to win 400 games for one team.

2008: Last Playoff Appearance Before Ruff

The Dallas Stars last playoff appearance before Lindy Ruff's arrival was in 2008.

2010: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2010, Lindy Ruff was named as an associate coach for Team Canada, which won the gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

2010: Ruff Wins Olympic Gold as Assistant Coach for Team Canada

Lindy Ruff served as an assistant coach for the Canadian National Team at the 2010 Winter Olympics, winning a gold medal.

January 6, 2011: 500 NHL Wins

On January 6, 2011, Lindy Ruff became only the 16th coach in NHL history to win 500 games, and just the second to win 500 games while only having coached one team.

January 8, 2011: Winningest Coach for a Single Team

On January 8, 2011, Lindy Ruff became the winningest coach who only coached for one team in NHL history when the Sabres defeated the Phoenix Coyotes 2–1 in overtime, surpassing Toe Blake's 500 wins with the Montreal Canadiens.

April 29, 2011: Contract Extension with Sabres

On April 29, 2011, the Buffalo Sabres announced Lindy Ruff had agreed to a multiple-year contract extension.

February 20, 2013: Relieved of Coaching Duties

On February 20, 2013, the Buffalo Sabres announced Lindy Ruff had been relieved of his coaching duties, ending his tenure as the NHL's longest active-serving coach with one team, second only to Gregg Popovich in the four major sports in North America.

June 20, 2013: Hired as Head Coach of Dallas Stars

On June 20, 2013, the Dallas Stars announced they were in the process of hiring Lindy Ruff as head coach.

June 21, 2013: Officially Announced as Dallas Stars Head Coach

On June 21, 2013, the Dallas Stars announced Lindy Ruff would be their new head coach.

2013: Ruff Concludes his First Stint as Head Coach of the Buffalo Sabres

In 2013, Lindy Ruff concluded his first stint as the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.

2014: First Playoff Appearance with Dallas Stars

In 2014, Lindy Ruff led the Dallas Stars to their first playoff appearance since 2008, but lost in the opening round to the Anaheim Ducks in six games.