Lindy Ruff

Lindy Cameron Ruff (born February 17, 1960) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and the current head coach for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). During his playing career, Ruff played in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Ruff was previously the head coach of the Sabres from 1997 to 2013 and won the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year in 2006.

He was an assistant coach for the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team.

Playing career

Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd overall of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers. Ruff gained a reputation as a player for his toughness, character and hard work on the ice. An illustration of this came in a May 10, 1980 playoff game against the New York Islanders where opposing goaltender Billy Smith struck Ruff with his stick as he passed in front of his net. Ruff got up, skated back to the goaltender and tackled him.

Ruff played most of his NHL career for the Sabres, serving as captain of the team for nearly three years, but he was traded to the Rangers at the 1989 NHL trade deadline in exchange for a draft pick. The Sabres would use that pick to select Richard Smehlik, who would later play for several years under Ruff.