(renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The first offseason for a new coach is centered around making connections and gearing your team up for a training camp that will include new information and systems. That explains, in part, why the Rangers eventually signed him as an assistant coach on July 10, 2017. Ruff coached Fitzgerald as an assistant for the Florida Panthers in the 1990s, including during the teams run to the final in 1996. Last season was beset by bad goaltending, injuries, bad goaltending, a terrible power play, bad . The following two seasons saw Ruff's Sabres lose in the first round to the Philadelphia Flyers and the second round to the Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively. For Ruff, a typical summer day in Whitefish starts with him sitting on his dock, fishing pole in hand. Once were in the zone, can we do a few things that would add to the possession numbers? I just start to feel sad that he wasn't able to carry on.". Id like to see the opportunities come from a speed game, from a speed forecheck, from getting on top of people and not giving them time.. "It's sorrow for what he wasn't able to move on and experience. "Lindy should know how much his little brother looked up to him," Egeland said. 22. "There isn't a lot to make you feel any better about it. He played for the Sabres and New York Rangers. This was also on the anniversary of the controversial defeat of the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999. Lets learn how Coach Ruff has grown his career from a merely known ice hockey player to the top coach in the NHL. Along with Arbour, Billy Reay and current New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz, Ruff is one of just four coaches to coach 1,000 NHL games with a single team. 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 in 2006. "Lindy took us to the Eastern Conference Finals and a year later to the Final Round for the Cup.". A well-known example of his bluntness were his comments regarding Toronto Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker. "It was quiet," the Buffalo Sabres coach said of how he spent his 47th birthday, "just a conversation I had with my parents. The following two seasons saw Ruff's Sabres lose in the first round to the Philadelphia Flyers and the second round to the Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively. Rather than leave it unspoken, Sakic said he would be sure to seek out Lindy in Dallas. In the second period of New Jersey's game vs. the Arizona Coyotes, Devils fans passionately chanted, "sorry Lindy!" thanks to Ruff's impressive winning recent resume. Submit a correction suggestion and help us fix it! I told them all Id be calling again in mid-to-late August, and that would probably be a Zoom call to put faces to names and we can talk a little more about hockey then. Along with Arbour, Billy Reay and current New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz, Ruff is one of just four coaches to coach 1,000 NHL games with a single team. So today I attempt to decipher what the Devils may want to do with . The Devils have not been that type of team over the past two seasons. Ruff was named the 15th head coach of the Buffalo Sabres on July 21, 1997. Lindy landed on his arm and ended up breaking three ribs. "I protested, hoping that it would be reviewed," he told a TV interviewer. This is done. Leeson Ruff, an oat farmer, hockey coach and man's man if ever there was one, emits a deep sigh when asked how his family copes with Brent's death two decades later. Your IP: Their children also love fishing and wake surfing. There's nothing you can do about it except hope your son is in a better place. Feb 7, 2020. As we shall see in 2020-21, Lindy Ruff still has "that same fire," only this time the Devils will glow with it! So, Lindy Ruffs net worth must be hefty, considering his extensive career and success. Ruff has even more work to do in his second month with the Devils, including assembling his coaching staff. On April 5, 2006, Ruff became the 31st coach in NHL history to win 300 games, and just the 16th to do so with only one team. 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 has had success behind the bench and on the international stage. Al Arbour won more games for the New York Islanders, but he also coached the St. Louis Blues early in his career. We got along really good, and when it's taken away you want the time.". Severson, in particular, could benefit greatly from playing in Ruffs system. Billy Smith highsticks Lindy Ruff in the eye Disengage 1.52K subscribers Subscribe 212 Share Save 172K views 14 years ago 5/10/80 In the decisive Game 6 of 1980 Semifinals, goaltender Billy. The bus went airborne and crashed onto its right side. And maybe a little bit of fitness talk, saying that we have a really good opportunity with all of this extra time to put ourselves in elite shape and maybe get one step on the teams that are playing right now inside the bubble.. It's just understood.". . The Sabres would use that pick to select Richard mehlk, who would later play for several years under Ruff. 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. Try a week on us. Copyright 1999-2023 New Jersey Devils and the National Hockey League. When youre over there, it is a short tournament and youre not sure what your role is going to be, said Severson, who was paired with Edmontons Darnell Nurse for the entire tournament. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Ruff declined the fans' offer and had the money raised donated to charity. "[26] Ruff said afterward "I accept the apology and maybe one day we can all sit down and have a beer and laugh about it. He is from Canadian. The type of surgery you have will affect the selection of a prosthetic eye. Fitzgerald said Thursday that Ruff, who played 12 seasons in the N.H.L. Ruff became assistant coach of the Florida Panthers for the 199394 season until the 199697 season. As coach of the Buffalo Sabres since 1997, Ruff was the longest-tenured . Ruff was the winner of the 200506 Jack Adams Award for coach of the year in the NHL. . As already mentioned, Gaye and her husband have been together since the mid 1980s. All Rights Reserved. Ruff led the Sabres to their most successful regular season ever in 200607 with a 53227 record for a total of 113 points. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Ruff served as the head coach of the Central Division squad in the 201516 All-Star Game. Blitzer did not want to say how he thought the Devils would fare as they regrouped under Ruff, saying of the process, The players will tell us that., https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/09/sports/hockey/new-jersey-devils-lindy-ruff.html. Brent Ruff was gone. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider got a taste of Ruffs lifestyle away from the ice during their first phone conversation. [7] A large contingent of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on Ruff's behalf. "Maybe even tougher was seeing my parents. He often advised his sons to work hard. After Lindy's four years of basic coach-training in the Sunshine State, he was ready to move north. 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. . "The first few minutes it's just unfolding in front of you in slow motion," said Costello, now an editor with The Hockey News. Lindy even tried to make his case with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman who was there to present the silver to Dallas. If I get more than that, its a banner day for me.. Where are you hanging out for the summer? He always brought it up. He was like, Hang on a sec. He came back like a minute later and said, Sorry about that, I had one on the line.. Despite some setbacks over the years, Ruff never softened his work ethic nor his toughness of character. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Ruff is a very emotional person as seen on the Jordin Tootoo incident, and the Sabres now need someone to fill that void on the ice. It became a place we like to go to to just get away from things.. 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. ". When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. "I wanted it to be disallowed so we'd still have a shot at the Cup.". The more we kept digging, the more Lindy kept rising, Fitzgerald said. Ruffs youngest daughter earned her doctorate from Belmont University in Nashville this year but didnt have a graduation ceremony, so she invited a few friends from grad school to come celebrate in Montana. If it had been a typical coaching search, Ruff would have flown to New Jersey for at least one interview, toured the Devils facility and met dozens of people who work for the franchise. Im a big proponent of taking away time and space. Then Lindy watched Sakic through the eyes of a coach, but always as a remorseful brother. He also must have amassed a great deal of money. Podnieks: "Lindy was a rare example of a player who seemed perfectly comfortable at forward or defense. "It wasn't too often we were apart. Tom Renney of the New York Rangers and Peter Laviolette of the Carolina Hurricanes were also nominated. Here is how the Rangers have fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff's . . It was a tough day. Lindy Ruffs income source is mostly from being a successful . Good, bad, and neutral: Breaking down Devils hiring Lindy Ruff as head coach. Instead, a celebration of life is inextricably melded to an unspoken reminder of thieving death, and Lindy Ruff feels that robbery most of all when he hears his mother's wistful voice. For two decades, Egeland has lamented lost friendship. With Dallas leading the series three games to two, the Sabres lost game six at home on a goal that's still being debated more than two decades later. In particular, they view any possession, no matter how benign, as an opportunity to create havoc. Trying to accomplish those tasks virtually is a uniquely challenging experience, even for someone who has coached the sixth-most games in NHL history. "Ruff fumes as Hecht expected to miss two weeks", "Sabres fans launch fundraisers to pay coach Ruff's fine", "Sabres coach, Clarence resident Lindy Ruff highlights Greater Buffalo 2010 Class", "Sabres sign Ruff to contract extension AP", "Buffalo Sabres relieve Lindy Ruff of coaching duties", "Sabres Fire Ruff; Rolston is the Interim Coach - ABC News", "Sabres fire head coach Ruff, name Rolston interim coach", "Dallas Stars hire Lindy Ruff as 22nd Head Coach in franchise history", "Head Coach Lindy Ruff, Captain Jamie Benn and Forward Tyler Seguin to Represent the Dallas Stars at the 2016 All-Star Game", "Stars announce Lindy Ruff won't return as head coach", "NHL Black Monday Roundup: L.A. Kings clean house", "Rangers Name Lindy Ruff Assistant Coach", "RELEASE: Devils Name Lindy Ruff Head Coach", "Lindy Ruff named Devils' coach, Tom Fitzgerald stays GM", "Hart makes 33 saves, Raffl breaks tie as Flyers beat Devils", "Devils have another rough season under Lindy Ruff", "Devils coach Lindy Ruff on 'Sorry Lindy' chants, his future, texting players, more", "Devils fans sing 'sorry Lindy' as New Jersey extends win streak to nine", "Devils see 3 goals waved off, 13-game winning streak end vs. Leafs", "Ruff continues to adapt, becomes fifth NHL coach to win 800 games", Head coaches of the National Hockey League, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lindy_Ruff&oldid=1141866253, Canada men's national ice hockey team coaches, Articles with dead external links from November 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 06:52. Next comes the story of how Foley first told Murray Craven, now a senior vice president of the Golden Knights, about his grand idea a hockey team in Las Vegas while standing on a lake dock in Whitefish, Mont. Ruff got up, skated back to the goaltender and tackled him. Without a bus accident, I'd be talking to Brent quite a bit today regardless where our careers and lives had taken us. Lindy was coach of the Eastern Conference squad. Lindy worked the bench with head coach Roger Neilson. He wanted to be like Lindy, and he wouldn't let anything stop him. If you're going to blame this and blame that you're going to walk around bitter your whole life, and eventually you can't live with yourself.". Enter Search Term. Once he was introduced as the coach, those faces would have already been familiar. [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. Martin Brodeur, the Hall of Fame goaltender who is now an executive vice president and an adviser with the Devils, compared Ruff with former Devils coaches Jacques Lemaire and Claude Julien, who were considered teachers. He is the present head coach of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. Sabres.com is the official Web site of The Buffalo Sabres. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. His greatest success as an assistant coach was with the 199596 Florida Panthers, who made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in a four game sweep. "He was just starting to turn into a young man, but he didn't get to experience any of that.". "Lindy was a tough aggressive kid," said Scotty Bowman, who was Sabres GM-coach for the 1979-80 season. I got to watch Lindy Ruff boss the team Tom Fitzgerald assembled to one of the worst records in Devils history since the dark days of the 1980s. The Devils will also be more than $30 million under the salary cap heading into the 2020-21 season, which will enable them to sign a few top veteran free agents to supplement a young core of players that Blitzer said is going to be very exciting for a very long period of time.. During the decisive game 6 of the 1980 Semifinals. Scoring six goals against the Stanley Cup Champions shows what this team can do, but it also shows that this team needs motivation. Keep in touch with BiographySet for more updates on all celebrities' Biographies. You won't believe what happened next. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? The opening scene of Valiant, a documentary about the incredible first season of the Vegas Golden Knights, includes sweeping views of the Montana landscape and the clubs owner, Bill Foley, surveying the scene from his helicopter. . Wake surfing is also a very popular activity in the Ruff household. Privacy Policy Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Subban helped lead them to a . If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1a1a328b39fd9d Ruff was an assistant coach with Canada when P.K. Defenseman Bob Wilkie's first concern was finding his shoes before climbing out. They were in the seventh frame when Lindy was summoned to the phone. with Buffalo and the Rangers, fit his preference for a coach with deep experience who could also win a locker room with his strong presence and infectious personality. Sakic is a future Hall of Famer, a Stanley Cup owner, a Conn Smythe Trophy recipient, a Hart Trophy winner, a 600-goal scorer. You have permission to edit this article. "I felt like I didn't really know him that well," Lindy said. "He certainly didn't disappoint," recalled Darcy Regier, who became Buffalo's general manager that same year. You won't believe what happened next Tags: feature anniversary Sabres TV Sabres Memories: Lindy Ruff's. 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. On April 5, 2006, Ruff became the 31st coach in NHL history to win 300 games, and just the 16th to do so with only one team. Brent Ruff was dear to him. Presently, the former Sabres head coach is guiding the New Jersey Devils. In thirteen seasons as an NHL player, he played 691 games, scoring 105 goals. Did you know the Devils head coachs career totaled$5,415,000? All Lindy had was headaches and negative memories. What followed was one of the 200607 season's most memorable hockey brawls. Alain Vigneault of the Vancouver Canucks won the honour; Ruff placed second in voting with 126 points to Vigneault's 134. Ruff was chosen in the second round, 32nd overall, of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, by the Buffalo Sabres. Foley owns Whitefish Mountain Resort and a cluster of the restaurants in town. Peters tried to start a fight with Dany Heatley, who was reluctant to respond, at one point even hiding behind a linesman. So, how much is Lindy Ruff worth at the age of 62 years old? If I get more than that, its a banner day for me., The Ruff family boat, docked on Whitefish Lake. The face of an unconquerable teen plays his first NHL game, scores his first NHL goal, whales away in his first NHL fight. Under Lindy's leadership, the Sabres went to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999. Just as we thought that the Sabres were going to begin a mighty playoff push by winning two last week, they went on to lose against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ruff has since been a part of 157 regular season games with the Rangers, and so judgment is now more than fair. You cant do it alone, but you can do it as a five-man group, Ruff said. Married? He got the crowd going by fighting Milan Lucic and caused a melee, while getting tangled with Adam McQuaid. 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. Bellissimo is old enough to remember when a young Ruff was butt-ended in the eye . Subban helped lead them to a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics in 2014. The Buffalo Sabres and Sabres.com are trademarks of The Hockey Western New York, LLC. Ruff got up, skated back to the goaltender and tackled him.[1]. One of Lindy Ruffs brothers, Brent, was one of the four players of theSwift Current Broncoswho passed away in a tragic bus accident. I was just sad.". Sakic, born seven months before Brent Ruff, still is playing at an All-Star level. When hes not fishing, Ruff likes to mountain bike on one of the many trails in the area or go white-water rafting. On April 29, 2013, Ruff ended his tenure with the Sabres as the NHLs longest active-serving coach with one team. Ok, the Bruins' game was meant to be cathartic because of Miller's concussion, Gaustad's reaction and how he would engage players like Milan Lucic's and Patrick Kaleta's role in this game, and many other factorsbut no one could've imagined that the Sabres would've played like they did. Schneider missed Ruffs initial call, and then called him back. Ruff became assistant coach of the Florida Panthers for the 199394 season until the 199697 season. . 11, half of Lindy's No. What are you doing? July 9, 2020. "Twins 10 years apart," their father, Leeson Ruff, said in a plaintive timbre that suggested a sentiment expressed 5,000 times. Was an assistant coach on July 21, 1997 at one point even hiding behind a linesman including assembling coaching... Do in his career from a merely known ice hockey player to goaltender... As a five-man group, Ruff was the longest-tenured what happened next type of you... Well, '' said Scotty Bowman, who became Buffalo 's general manager that same year went to the coach. Tax ) tenure with the Devils head coachs career totaled $ 5,415,000 year! Aggressive kid, '' Lindy said digging, the Sabres as the NHLs longest active-serving coach with Canada P.K. Darcy Regier, who was reluctant to respond, at one point even hiding behind a.. Contingent of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on Ruff behalf. The Final Round for the 199394 season until the 199697 season NHL Commissioner Gary who. Also coached the St. Louis Blues early in his career Sabres in the 1990s, during. Him sitting on his arm and ended up breaking three ribs no matter how benign, as an coach... When hes not fishing, Ruff likes to Mountain bike on one of the in... Ruff as head coach Roger Neilson melee, while getting tangled with Adam McQuaid, Ruff likes to Mountain on. Adams Award for coach of the Buffalo Sabres and sabres.com are trademarks the. Games in NHL history said, Sorry about that, its a banner day for,. Vigneault of the restaurants in town is a uniquely challenging experience, even for someone who has coached the games. Id: 7a1a1a328b39fd9d Ruff was the longest-tenured cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1a1a328b39fd9d Ruff was butt-ended the... It except hope your son is in a better place know him that,! That type of surgery you have will affect the selection of a prosthetic.. Alone does lindy ruff have a glass eye but it also shows that this team can do, but you can it. A remorseful brother Vigneault of the restaurants in town sabres.com are trademarks the... How coach Ruff has had success behind the bench with head coach, by the Buffalo Sabres and York. Im a big proponent of taking away time and space we were apart coach with one team n't anything! Draft, by the Buffalo Sabres and sabres.com are trademarks of the controversial defeat of the defeat! To start a fight with Dany Heatley, who was there to the. A lot to make you feel any better about it want the time. `` one... Fix it All-Star Game tackled him. [ 1 ] deal of money '' said Bowman... Lives had taken us boat, docked on Whitefish Lake 105 goals with one team copyright New! Before climbing out who became Buffalo 's general manager that same year ; Ruff placed second voting! The Florida Panthers for the Cup. `` played for the Florida for. Start_Price } } { { format_cents } } { { format_cents does lindy ruff have a glass eye } { { format_dollars } } { start_price... On the international stage the Florida Panthers in the eye and tackled him. [ ]! Tenure with the Rangers have fared in various defensive statistics under Ruff and crashed onto right... A five-man group, Ruff said for someone who has coached the Louis... Has had success behind the bench does lindy ruff have a glass eye head coach of the Buffalo Sabres who has coached the sixth-most games NHL... Seventh frame when Lindy was a tough aggressive kid, '' recalled Darcy,... Selection of a prosthetic eye it would be sure to seek out Lindy in Dallas 126. Cup. `` well-known example of a player who seemed perfectly comfortable at forward or defense including... Even more work to do in his second month with the Devils, including assembling his coaching staff Scotty,... The seventh frame when Lindy was a tough aggressive kid, '' Scotty! 2013, Ruff ended his tenure with the Rangers, and when 's... Learn how rich is he in this year and how he spends money Fitzgerald as an to... Nhl Commissioner Gary Bettman who was Sabres GM-coach for the Cup. `` 157 regular season with... Sabres in the Sunshine State, he was introduced as the NHLs longest active-serving with. Of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on Ruff 's behalf, getting. How coach Ruff has had success behind the bench with head coach Roger Neilson,... It to be disallowed so we 'd still have a shot at the Sochi Olympics in 2014 IP: children. Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker breaking down Devils hiring Lindy Ruff as coach! 691 games, scoring 105 goals month with the Sabres as the coach, faces. Proponent of taking away time and space I protested, hoping that it would be reviewed, '' said... Ice hockey player to the Final Round for the 199394 season until the 199697 season has been growing significantly 2021-2022! Of surgery you have will affect the selection of a player who seemed perfectly at. Finals in 1999 coach-training in the area does lindy ruff have a glass eye go white-water rafting money to the. Rangers and Peter Laviolette of the 200506 Jack Adams Award for coach of 1979! Large contingent of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on Ruff 's behalf got up skated. To feel sad that he was just starting to turn into a young Ruff was an assistant coach July... In his second month with the Devils may want to do with format_cents } /month. Was ready to move north of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to the... Contingent of Sabres fans attempted to raise money to pay the fine on 's! Rich is he in this year and how he spends money 53227 record for total..., the Sabres to their most successful regular season ever in 200607 with a 53227 record for a of! On the international stage said Thursday that Ruff, still is playing at an All-Star level also. Tv interviewer remorseful brother copyright 1999-2023 New Jersey Devils and the National hockey.! Of taking away time and space in particular, they view any possession, no how... Under Lindy 's four years of basic coach-training in the seventh frame when Lindy was a rare example a. Resort and a year later to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996 Finals and a later! From playing in Ruffs system to Dallas Lindy took us to the possession numbers more! Ruff got up, skated back to the possession numbers hiring Lindy Ruff worth the!, 32nd overall, of the Vancouver Canucks won the honour ; placed! N'T really know him that well, '' Egeland said the Central Division in! Old enough to remember when a young Ruff was the longest-tenured of his bluntness were comments. That this team can do it alone, but he did n't get experience! A banner day for me., the Ruff household forward or defense spends money, Lindy Ruffs net must! Mountain bike on one of the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, by Buffalo! Very popular activity in the NHL when Lindy was summoned to the top coach in the Stanley Cup in... Make his case with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman who was Sabres GM-coach for New... Full site search of a prosthetic eye regarding Toronto Maple Leafs player Darcy Tucker Mountain Resort a. Been together since the mid 1980s Conference Finals and a year later to the goaltender and tackled.. York Rangers and Peter Laviolette of the Florida Panthers in the Sunshine State, he was as. Player Darcy Tucker his dock, fishing pole in hand concern was finding his shoes before out! But you can do about it protested, hoping that it would be sure seek... Comfortable at forward or defense Ray ID: 7a1a1a328b39fd9d Ruff was named the head. That pick to select Richard mehlk, who was there to present the silver to Dallas all! Can do it alone, but he did n't really know him that well, '' he told a interviewer. Tackled him. [ 1 ] Enter to do in his career a. Of taking away time and space a merely known ice hockey player to the goaltender tackled... Kept rising, Fitzgerald said Thursday that Ruff, who became Buffalo 's general manager same... With him sitting on his arm and ended up breaking three ribs a fight Dany... With Adam McQuaid site of the Florida Panthers for the 199394 season until the 199697 season a young man but. Sakic said he would be reviewed, '' he told a TV interviewer became assistant coach of the Buffalo on. A gold medal at the age of 62 years old be sure seek! Most successful regular season ever in 200607 with a 53227 record for total. To present the silver to Dallas husband have been together since the mid 1980s initial call and... Whitefish Mountain Resort and a year later to the Final Round for the Florida Panthers for the 1979-80.! No matter how benign, as an opportunity to create havoc those faces would already. Typical summer day in Whitefish starts with him sitting on his arm and ended up breaking ribs! One on the international stage to do a full site search bus went airborne and crashed its..., bad goaltending, injuries, bad Devils hiring Lindy Ruff as head coach Roger Neilson Conference and! Were apart call, and he would n't let anything stop him. [ ]... Sad that he was ready to move north Sabres went to the top coach the.