Lindy Ruff Biography – New Jersey Devils Head Coach

Lindy Ruff is a professional ice hockey coach of Canadian nationality. He is the present head coach of the New Jersey Devils in the NHL. 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.

A challenge-loving coach, Lindy took in a team experiencing its longest playoff drought and led them to the most wins in the franchise’s history. Let’s learn how Coach Ruff has grown his career from a merely known ice hockey player to the top coach in the NHL.

Native of Warburg

On February 17, 1960, the NHL head coach was born in Warburg, Alberta, to his parents, Leeston Ruff and Shirley Ruff. He grew up with his brothers Randy Ruff, Brent Ruff, and Marty Ruff. Lindy Cameron Ruff‘s father ran a farm and worked multiple jobs to support the family. He often advised his sons to work hard. Sadly, the coach lost his dad on January 28, 2022, at 88. Moreover, some of the sites suggest that Lindy’s old man’s name is Leeson Ruff. 

Randy, the oldest Ruff sibling, is a former ice hockey player and coach. Marty was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the first-round pick. However, he never appeared in an NHL game. One of Lindy Ruff’s brothers, Brent, was one of the four players of the Swift Current Broncos who passed away in a tragic bus accident. 

Also Read: Learn More About Selen Vigil-Wilk’s Biography

Lindy Ruff Net Worth And Career

Lindy has carved a remarkable career for himself with a playing career of fourteen years and an ongoing coaching career since 1993. Ruff’s coaching resume ranks him sixth on the NHL’s all-time wins list and seventh in games coached. So, Lindy Ruff’s net worth must be hefty, considering his extensive career and success.

About the Warburg native’s playing career, Lindy was drafted in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft by the Buffalo Sabres. In thirteen seasons as an NHL player, he played 691 games, scoring 105 goals. He also must have amassed a great deal of money.

The 6′ 2” defenceman retired and started his coaching career with the Florida Panthers as an assistant coach. After serving the Panthers for four seasons, Ruff returned to Buffalo in 1977 to become the head coach. In the 1998-99 season, he led the team to their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 24 years.

On April 29, 2013, Ruff ended his tenure with the Sabres as the NHL’s longest active-serving coach with one team. Then, he also worked with the Dallas Stars and New York Rangers. Presently, the former Sabres head coach is guiding the New Jersey Devils. On July 9, 2020, the team’s Executive Vice President/General Manager, Tom Fitzgerald announced him the team’s head coach.

Here are some of Lindy Ruff’s salaries from his coaching career.

Season	Team	Salary ($US)	In Today’s ($US)
1997-98	Buffalo Sabres	$275,000	$463,073
1999-00	Buffalo Sabres	$345,000	$559,812
2001-02	Buffalo Sabres	$700,000	$1,068,560
2014-15	Dallas Stars	$2,000,000	$2,283,518

Table Source: HockeyZonePlus

Ruff has had success behind the bench and on the international stage. He guided Team Canada to a silver medal at the IIHF World Hockey Championships in Switzerland for the 2008-09 season. In 2010, he was a coaching staff member for Team Canada’s gold medal-winning hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Did you know the Devils’ head coach’s career totaled $5,415,000? Such a significant amount must have added fortunes to Lindy Ruff’s net worth.

A Marriage Of Over Twenty Years

Talking about the Devils’ coach’s love life, relationship, and girlfriend, he has been happily married to Gaye Ruff. Lindy Ruff’s wife is from Lethbridge, so when Lindy played for the WHL team Lethbridge Broncos, he spent his vacations with Gaye’s family. Hence, the lovebirds have been together since his playing days.

Nonetheless, the couple shared a beautiful bond even before they married in 1985. Lindy Ruff’s family often spends time away from the city life and visits Whitefish lake in Montana. Their children also love fishing and wake surfing. Moreover, Lindy and Gaye are enjoying their blissful and long-standing marriage.

Blessed With Four Children

The Devils’ head coach is leading a beautiful family of six. Lindy Ruff’s children are Brett Ruff, Eryn Ruff, Madeleine Ruff, and Brian Ruff. All of them are now grown-ups and living their lives individually. Brett is working as the Coordinator of the Hockey Administration for Buffalo Sabres. Eryn, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, works as a teacher at Faubion Middle School.

As the youngest children, Brian and Madeline were born on August 16, 1994. Brian has followed in his father’s footsteps. He played for the ice hockey team Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the OJHL. 

Happy 21st birthday to the best twin sister a guy could ask for. #Loveyou #21 pic.twitter.com/Hp8NkG1iJV

— Brian Ruff (@BRuffles22) August 16, 2015

Madeleine underwent brain surgery after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2006. The operation was successful, and she is living a healthy life. Moreover, Lindy Ruff’s daughter holds a doctorate in occupational therapy from Belmont University.

Nonetheless, Lindy seems to be doing well professionally and in his personal life. Let’s hope he continues ascending the new heights of success.

Facts And Trivia

• Coach Ruff has coached 120 Stanley Cup Playoff games and an overall record of 66-54.
• Seattle Kraten’s head coach David Hakstol is family friends with Lindy.
• During the decisive game 6 of the 1980 Semifinals, Billy Smith accidently hit Lindy in the eye with his hockey stick.

• Belmont University Billy Smith Brent Ruff Brian Ruff Celebrity Babies Celebrity Romance Coach David Hakstol Eryn Ruff Faubion Middle School Gaye Ruff Leeson Ruff Leeston Ruff Lindy Cameron Ruff Lindy Ruff Madeleine Ruff Marty Ruff Randy Ruff Shirley Ruff Sports Celebrity Biography Tom Fitzgerald University of Pittsburgh