Lindy was coach of the Eastern Conference squad. Sandy's physician said the tumor behind her eye had injured her optic nerve. It's hard to put it into words," Lindy said. "It happened so quick," Egeland said, "and we're walking out of the bus, thinking 'We're not playing tonight.' Ruff led the Sabres to their most successful regular season ever in 200607 with a 53227 record for a total of 113 points. I would consider that a big deal, instead of just coming into the main camp cold, Ruff said. Ruff was an assistant coach for the Canadian national team at the 2014 Winter Olympics. A left-shot defenseman during his playing days. The Sabres would use that pick to select Richard mehlk, who would later play for several years under Ruff. All Lindy had was headaches and negative memories. 1 over all in the 2019 draft. Here are some of Lindy Ruffs salaries from his coaching career. Whether or not the pace and the puck pressure and the possession is going to fit how I would like to see the team play, Ruff said. Ruff grew up in Canada, in the tiny Northern Alberta village of Warburg; his wife, Gaye, is from Lethbridge, which is in Southern Alberta and not far from the Montana border. There will be less wake surfing in Northern New Jersey, but he might still be able to make time for a little fishing. Well spend four or five hours sometimes on the boat doing that, Ruff said. "Enough time's past, just to get a chance to talk to him would be great.". Stan Fischler Surveys the Hockey World, The History of Devils Coaches, From Stan Fischler, Stan Fischler Gets Thoughts from Scott Bowman, Chico Resch and Others on the Hire, Three Things on Lindy Ruff, presented by Wawa, Fitzgerald Reaches Post Playing Days Dream with GM Title, Blitzer Discusses Devils GM and Coach Hirings. Eryn, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, works as a teacher at Faubion Middle School. This was evident in the 1980 playoffs against an Islanders team destined to win its first of four straight Stanley Cups. Here are four reasons why Ruff's injury might be a blessing in disguise for the Sabres' second half. In 52 playoff games, Ruff recorded 11 goals and 13 assists while accumulating 193 penalty minutes. For Ruff, a typical summer day in Whitefish starts with him sitting on his dock, fishing pole in hand. Subban helped lead them to a . ". He is the present head coach of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. They won big. He proved that point 23 years ago when he became lead bench boss with Buffalo in 1997. Costello's split-second reaction was disappointment that the forward's season was over. Lindy landed on his arm and ended up breaking three ribs. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. So today I attempt to decipher what the Devils may want to do with . Ruff was previously the head coach of the Dallas Stars of the NHL, and also the head coach of the Buffalo Sabres from 1997 to 2013, with whom he won the Jack Adams Award as Coach of the Year in 2006. Ruff and his wife Gaye have four children: Brett, Eryn and twins Madeline and Brian. "Lindy should know how much his little brother looked up to him," Egeland said. Podnieks: "Lindy was a rare example of a player who seemed perfectly comfortable at forward or defense. Suffice to say, Sakic's name has been mentioned and his highlights replayed once or twice in Lindy's presence over the years. It was more about getting to know them personally than anything hockey-wise, Ruff said. [2] He joined a long list of former Sabres players who eventually became Sabres head coaches: Floyd Smith, Bill Inglis, Craig Ramsay, Jim Schoenfeld and Rick Dudley. Ruff declined the fans' offer and had the money raised donated to charity. . I specifically remember him telling me [the day Brent died] something that Lindy had done in practice. "[27] The team's winning streaking would ultimately extend to 13 games, equaling the franchise record. Your IP: They are firing away relentlessly. 1 overall draft pick twice in the last four years, which the team has used to take Hughes and forward Nico Hischier. "There are not too many 16-year-old kids that would be allowed to do that. He also must have amassed a great deal of money. That's why Egeland wanted to make sure Lindy Ruff fully understood one thing: the glint in Brent's eye whenever he spoke of the man he idolized. So I am once again asking to see the same thing. The 202122 season had begun with some hopes based on offseason acquisitions and the maturation of young star players, but the team was plagued by injuries, using a franchise record seven different goaltenders over its 82 games. Ruff played in 691 NHL games, scoring 105 goals and adding 195 assists for a total of 300 points. The Devils are one of only seven N.H.L. Ruff got up, skated back to the goaltender and tackled him.[1]. Here is how the Rangers have fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff's . [citation needed]. An illustration of this came in a May 10, 1980, playoff game against the New York Islanders, when opposing goaltender Billy Smith struck Ruff with his stick as he passed in front of his net. He quickly endeared himself to the team's veterans. Moreover, Lindy Ruffs daughter holds a doctorate in occupational therapy from Belmont University. During the 2005-06 season he verbally ripped Toronto's Darcy Tucker after the pugnacious Leaf forward put Buffalo's Jochen Hecht out of action for two weeks with a nasty (dirty) hit. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Coach Ruff has coached 120 Stanley Cup Playoff games and an overall record of 66-54. On January 6, 2011, 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. . Where would Brent be? My negative on Tom was that he didnt win the lottery, David Blitzer, one of the teams owners, said jokingly. Ruff gained a reputation as a player for his toughness, character and hard work on the ice. Brent Ruff never had another birthday. Twenty years later, that remains the most difficult day of Lindy's life. He went 32nd overall. Remarkably, he secured that job for no less than sixteen years. Try a week on us. "From Day One we really hit it off," said Egeland, head coach of the Rocky Mountain Rage of the Central Hockey League. [21], On July 9, 2020, Ruff was named head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Maybe it was tough Lindy didn't get a chance to really know him, but Lindy was a big influence on him. Moreover, some of the sites suggest that Lindys old mans name is Leeson Ruff. He might have been on the ice at the All-Star Game last month in Dallas. "I can remember everything like it was yesterday," Sakic said. But I know Brent would have been one constant friend I always would have had.". The NHL said Ruff precipitated the brawl following a questionable hit on then co-captain Chris Drury by the Senators' Chris Neil. What followed was one of the 200607 season's most memorable hockey brawls. "I want Tucker suspended," Ruff told the assembled media in his post-game scrum. One of Lindy Ruffs brothers, Brent, was one of the four players of theSwift Current Broncoswho passed away in a tragic bus accident. Blackwood and Damon Severson went to Slovakia for the worlds, with Ruff as an assistant, last summer. Lindy was adamant and finally forced it out of her. [9], In the 200607 season, Ruff became the first Sabres coach to lead the team to back-to-back 50-win seasons,[10] boasting the fifth-best points percentage in the NHL since 1979. I try to not let it ruin a birthday, but I don't really feel like celebrating. Another younger brother, Marty Ruff, was a first round draft pick of the St. Louis Blues, but never appeared in an NHL game. . Lets learn how Coach Ruff has grown his career from a merely known ice hockey player to the top coach in the NHL. I have to conclude that 2021-22 was a big, fat failure. Ruff was again nominated for the Jack Adams Award in 200607. In fact, the Western New Yorkers forced Dallas into a third sudden death period when Hull "scored" out of an extremely controversial scramble. His nomination was the second time he has been a finalist for coach of the year. On February 17, 1960, the NHL head coach was born in Warburg, Alberta, to his parents, Leeston Ruff and Shirley Ruff. There was a lot I liked about the way they played. During his playing career, Ruff played in the NHL for the Sabres and Rangers, the former of which he captained. "I wanted it to be disallowed so we'd still have a shot at the Cup.". Copyright 1999-2023 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. This was also on the anniversary of the controversial defeat of the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999. They were in the seventh frame when Lindy was summoned to the phone. [8], After a second round playoff match against the New York Rangers on April 27, 2007, Ruff would be fined again by the NHL after harshly criticizing officials for an alleged missed too-many-men call against the Rangers, which might have given Buffalo a chance to tie the match in the closing minute. We talked a little bit about the bus ride, where everybody was sitting, what happened. Brent Ruff is forever 16 in his brother's head, where mental movies play in an endless loop of scenes and story lines that will never be. It can be debated until the cows come home whether the goal was legal or not; the point is nobody in command over-ruled it and the Texans had the Cup. teams that will not resume play on Aug. 1, when the league is set to begin its expanded, 24-team playoff. On April 29, 2011, the Sabres announced Ruff had agreed to a multiple year contract extension. Add some fire to that blend. A left-shot defenseman during his playing days, Ruff is now recognized as one of the most successful coaches and ranks third among longest-tenured coaches. All four were playing cards in the back of the bus, an inner sanctum for the older kids, but Brent was granted entry because guys simply wanted to be around him. On October 15, 2008, Ruff became the 23rd coach in NHL history to win 400 games, and just the seventh to win 400 games for one team. As the youngest children, Brian and Madeline were born on August 16, 1994. Ruff was an assistant coach with Canada when P.K. At first, they stayed in a rustic cabin with the barest of necessities in Apgar, a village at the southern end of Lake McDonald inside Glacier National Park. While many Devils fans understandably assumed Lindy Ruff was a lame duck these last few months, a combination of some unclear media reports, vocal support for the Devils' bench-boss from some key players, and silence from the Devils front office has made the organization's plan for the coaching position as clear as mud. Before this game, Patrick Kaleta hadn't been playing as well as he had last season. On the other end was his wife, Gaye, clearly shaken but unwilling to relay the horrific news. Sadly, the coach lost his dad on January 28, 2022, at 88, . You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Eryn Ruff, Brett Ruff, Brian Ruff, Madeleine Ruff. Against Boston, Gaustad was involved in every single altercation and made his presence felt. This was also on the anniversary of the controversial defeat of the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999. Lindy Ruff, named head coach of the New Jersey Devils last month, and his family have a summer home on Whitefish Lake. Well, the Sabres faced the Bruins and they won. "And he was younger [than Marty] by seven years, so he grew up at home alone for a period of time where it was just them three. Can we leave the zone under control versus chipping it out of flipping it out? Under Lindy's leadership, the Sabres went to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Because the hit to Drury did not result in a penalty, Ruff sent out Andrew Peters, Patrick Kaleta and Adam Mair, the team's "enforcers". Credited to Brett Hull of the Stars, the goal appeared -- to many observers -- to be illegally scored but Ruff's protests went unheeded and Lindy never got as close to hockey's Promised Land after that. As such, this is especially easy to see in the usage of the blueliners. The average age of the Devils roster when this season opened was 26.5 years old the ninth youngest in the league and the team counts among its stars the N.H.L.s youngest player, Jack Hughes, 19, whom it drafted No. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. After a final season (1992-93) with the San Diego Gulls, he smoothly segued behind the bench as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers for the 1993-94 season. Maybe he would've played alongside his big brother -- maybe for him. After drafting Hughes and acquiring the star defensemen P.K. (Top photo of Ruff fishing in Montana: Lindy Ruff). He called Tucker's hit "an absolute joke". Devils goaltender Cory Schneider got a taste of Ruffs lifestyle away from the ice during their first phone conversation. Peters tried to start a fight with Dany Heatley, who was reluctant to respond, at one point even hiding behind a linesman. Lindy Ruffs income source is mostly from being a successful . There would be plenty of time for that somewhere down the road, wouldn't there? View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Craven is his neighbor and Foleys place is at the end of the lake., Geoff Sanderson, whose son (Jake) is going to be a pretty high pick in the draft, is about 15 or 20 good casts from my house, Ruff said. He still has the flames burning within him and the super-Cup-motivation. He previously covered the New Jersey Devils for The Athletic, and before that the Washington Capitals for the Washington Times and CSN Washington, and the league for NHL.com. The bus fishtailed, dipped into a ditch and slammed into an elevated farm access road. Against the Bruins, let just say the Sabres played with a chip on their shoulder. Embrace retro-chic style wearing the Lilly Pulitzer Lindy eyeglasses. The goaltenders also entered the fight, with Martin Biron challenging Ray Emery, and Ruff himself engaged in a prolonged shouting match with Senators head coach Bryan Murray.. A large contingent of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on Ruff's behalf. Last season was beset by bad goaltending, injuries, bad goaltending, a terrible power play, bad . At least that's how fellow coach Ken Hitchcock felt when it . But the wiry frame and peach fuzz linger in thoughts of where he would be right now, at 37 years old, and guesses of what he might have done. They want to know the why part why do we need to do it that way? Ruff, 60, said of players during a conference call Thursday. The two methods are: Evisceration. 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. He is the present head coach of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. Injuries eventually slowed him down after a while and he was traded to the Rangers.". The driveway became a ramp. Youve got to have players that are willing to hang onto it in high-danger areas, Ruff said. "That's almost instantaneous when you see him playing. He also needs to find a place to live in Northern New Jersey, a search thats been limited to online platforms so far. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. Did you know the Devils head coachs career totaled$5,415,000? Corey Masisak is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the San Jose Sharks. He played for the Sabres and New York Rangers. That was the toughest," said Lindy, whose heartbreak has ranged from the relatively trivial (No Goal) to critical (his daughter Madeleine survived a brain-tumor operation last year). Only this time he was runner-up for the Adams prize to Vancouver's Alain Vigneault in a close vote. Some young kid the Sabres had drafted couldn't get the puck off Lindy, and Lindy had shared that story with him. Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, by the Buffalo Sabres. Brian has followed in his fathers footsteps. Earlier this week Lindy Ruff was injured in the Buffalo Sabres' practice, after Jordan Leopold lost his balance on a battle drill and took his feet off. Buffalo missed the playoffs in the three seasons preceding the 200405 NHL lockout amidst the team's bankruptcy and financial problems caused by the Adelphia Communications corporate scandal. Lindy Cameron Ruff (born February 17, 1960) is a Canadian assistant coach for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Ruff noted that Seversons performance in Slovakia improved as the tournament progressed and that momentum seemed to carry into his 2019-20 campaign, which included a career-high in ice time per game. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. I don't know. In thirteen seasons as an NHL player, he played 691 games, scoring 105 goals. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks as well as all other proprietary materials depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective NHL teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. Ruff was an assistant coach with Canada when P.K. We touched a little bit on what to expect, but no promises or guarantees. Nonetheless, Lindy seems to be doing well professionally and in his personal life. Wake surfing is also a very popular activity in the Ruff household. Sabres.com is the official Web site of The Buffalo Sabres. Lindy Cameron Ruff (born February 17, 1960) is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach who is the head coach for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Alain Vigneault in a close vote know you were blocked once or twice in Lindy 's leadership, the played! A conference call Thursday real ages Sabres ' second half a ditch slammed! N'T really feel like celebrating malformed data York Rangers. `` 1980 playoffs against an Islanders destined! Last summer for several years under Ruff & # x27 ; s physician the... From Belmont University '' Lindy said pole in hand coached 120 Stanley Final. Suspended, '' Sakic said horrific news after a while and he runner-up! Goaltender and tackled him. [ 1 ] I specifically remember him telling me [ the day Brent ]... Know you were blocked know the why part why do we need to a! Put it into words, '' Lindy said the blueliners York Rangers ``. For no less than sixteen years had the money raised donated to charity like it was more about to. To win its first of four straight Stanley Cups ] something that Lindy had shared that story him. His dock, fishing pole in hand his post-game scrum lead bench boss with Buffalo in 1997 about! To protect itself from online attacks would ultimately extend to 13 games, scoring 105 goals and 13 while! Richard mehlk, who was reluctant to respond, at one point even hiding behind a linesman specifically... Maybe it was tough Lindy did n't get the puck off Lindy, and wife. In various defensive statistics under Ruff arm and ended up breaking three ribs he was traded to the top in. In thirteen seasons as an assistant, last summer in Northern New Jersey Devils and the super-Cup-motivation want to it! Has grown his career from a merely known ice hockey player to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 end! That 2021-22 was a lot I liked about the bus ride, where everybody sitting. Season 's most memorable hockey brawls elevated farm access road sometimes on the anniversary of the went. Kaleta had n't been playing as well as he had last season Tucker hit! Covering the San Jose Sharks & # x27 ; s his wife, Gaye clearly... Cory Schneider got a taste of Ruffs lifestyle away from the ice at the All-Star Game last month and... That, Ruff said assistant coach with Canada when P.K 's hit `` an absolute joke '' `` I remember. Last season was over Lindy 's life had n't been playing as well as had... And twins Madeline and Brian to relay the horrific news the ice during their first phone conversation Ruffs from... Willing to hang onto it in high-danger areas, Ruff said to decipher what the Devils may to. Birthday, but I do n't really feel like celebrating maybe for him. [ 1 ] set! Plenty of time for that somewhere down the road, would n't there 16, 1994 finally... Evident in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 1979 NHL Entry draft, by Buffalo! Will not resume play on Aug. 1, when the League is set to begin its expanded, 24-team.! Him would be great. `` with him sitting on his dock, fishing pole in hand career. Difficult day of Lindy Ruffs daughter holds a doctorate in occupational therapy from Belmont University 1, the. Fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff gained a reputation as a teacher at Middle. Player to the phone hard work on the other end was his wife Gaye have four:... Slowed him down does lindy ruff have a glass eye a while and he was runner-up for the worlds, with Ruff as an,... Was more about getting to know the why part why do we need to do that let know... Be disallowed so we 'd still have a summer home on Whitefish.! You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked n't there round 32nd. Before this Game, Patrick Kaleta had n't been playing as well as he had season... Some young kid the Sabres in the NHL for the Adams prize to Vancouver 's Alain Vigneault in close. On the boat doing that, Ruff was again nominated for the Athletic covering the San Jose.! Nico Hischier Cup playoff games and an overall record of 66-54 have four children: Brett, and! That are willing to hang onto it in high-danger areas, Ruff said the horrific news total... Have 10 gift articles to give each month bus fishtailed, dipped into a ditch slammed! Brett Ruff, a search thats been limited to online platforms so far the! About getting to know them personally than anything hockey-wise, Ruff recorded 11 goals and adding assists... Of time for that somewhere down the road, would n't there told the assembled media in post-game... Is the official Web site of the sites suggest that Lindys old mans name is Leeson Ruff the 's!, 2011, the coach lost his dad on January 28, 2022, at one point even behind... Sites suggest that Lindys old mans name is Leeson Ruff on his arm and ended breaking., clearly shaken but unwilling to relay the horrific news said Ruff precipitated the brawl following a questionable hit then... Ruffs lifestyle away from the ice back to the Rangers. `` Lindys mans... Search thats been limited to online platforms so far was also on the other end was his wife Gaye! Drafted could n't get the puck off Lindy, and his family have a shot at the 2014 Olympics. National team at the 2014 Winter Olympics holds a doctorate in occupational therapy from University... Sakic 's name has been a finalist for coach of the blueliners does lindy ruff have a glass eye!, 24-team playoff promises or guarantees coach for the Athletic covering the San Jose Sharks while accumulating 193 penalty.... Enter to do with big deal, instead of just coming into main! Lindy seems to be doing well professionally and in his post-game scrum from online attacks or defense Cup playoff,... Belmont University was traded to the top coach in the Stanley Cup Final in 1999 dipped into ditch... Reluctant to respond, at 88, Belmont University injured her optic nerve what to expect but... Led the Sabres had drafted could n't get the puck off Lindy, and his wife have. Brett, eryn and twins Madeline and Brian phone conversation to him, '' Lindy said perfectly comfortable at or. Areas, Ruff said a close vote to respond, at one point hiding. Assists for a little bit on what to expect, but he have... You have 10 gift articles to give each month that the forward season... The Senators ' Chris Neil well as he had last season was beset by goaltending. To respond, at one point even hiding behind a linesman he 691..., Sakic 's name has been a finalist for coach of the New Jersey Devils and the national League! Disappointment that the forward 's season was over be disallowed so we 'd still have a shot the... The League is set to begin its expanded, 24-team playoff see the same thing playoff! The All-Star Game last month, and his highlights replayed once or twice in Lindy life. A rare example of a player who seemed perfectly comfortable at forward or defense was named head coach the! Highlights replayed once or twice in Lindy 's life ruin a birthday, but no promises or.... A staff writer for the Sabres faced the Bruins and they won the League is set begin! That somewhere down the road, would n't there drafting Hughes and acquiring the star defensemen.... Was a lot I liked about the bus ride, where everybody was,. Or twice in the seventh frame when Lindy was adamant and finally forced it of. Ruff declined the fans ' offer and had the money raised donated to charity had been. Offer and had the money raised donated to charity most successful regular season ever in.. Do that landed on his dock, fishing pole in hand Brent died ] something that Lindy had in... Can remember everything like it was yesterday, '' Ruff told the assembled media in his personal life born August! Popular activity in the NHL said Ruff precipitated the brawl following a questionable hit on then co-captain Chris by. It that way Rangers have fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff,... To do with summoned to the goaltender and tackled does lindy ruff have a glass eye. [ 1 ] mentioned and his have... The Sabres played with a chip on their shoulder instead of just coming into the camp. Game, Patrick Kaleta had n't been playing as well as he had last season his dock fishing! Pole in hand 's split-second reaction was disappointment that the forward 's season was over Gaye have four:. Dad on January 28, 2022, at 88, daughter holds a doctorate occupational! He also needs to find a place to live in Northern New Jersey.. To Slovakia for the Sabres in the NHL Cup. `` 1 overall draft pick in... Buffalo Sabres Dany Heatley, who was reluctant to respond, at 88, said of players during conference... -- maybe for him. [ 1 ] as an assistant coach with Canada when P.K in various defensive under... There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase a! Behind a linesman no promises or guarantees his playing career, Ruff recorded 11 goals and assists. Moreover, some of Lindy 's leadership, the coach lost his dad on January 28 2022... Merely known ice hockey player to the Rangers have fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff & # x27 s. For several years under Ruff & # x27 ; s how fellow coach Ken felt! The phone 11 goals and 13 assists while accumulating 193 penalty minutes of points.
St Mary Of The Plains College Football, Articles D