The New Jersey Devils signed coach Lindy Ruff to a multiyear extension, the team announced Wednesday. No additional contract details were disclosed. Here’s what you need to know:
- Ruff, 63, is in his fourth season with the Devils and has amassed a 98-98-24 record during his tenure.
- New Jersey went 52-22-8 last season and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2018. The team fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round.
- Following New Jersey’s strong season, Ruff was a finalist for the 2023 Jack Adams Award, which is the NHL’s Coach of the Year Award.
Coach is here to stay!
We have re-signed Head Coach Lindy Ruff to a multi-year extension.
📰: https://t.co/fxgkJCfSVW pic.twitter.com/iT8Kg58c95
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) October 11, 2023
What they’re saying
“I’m thrilled to commit here to this situation and couldn’t be prouder of the great progress that our group made last season,” Ruff said in a statement. “We have a special group in Jersey and there’s an opportunity to accomplish long-term success, make a lot of positive memories and give our fans a lot to cheer about.”
Backstory
Ruff ranks first in wins (834) among active NHL coaches and became the fifth-winningest coach in league history with his 783rd victory last season. Entering this season, he trails Ken Hitchcock by 15 wins for fourth all-time.
Ruff came to the Devils in 2021 following head-coaching stints with the Buffalo Sabres (1997-2013) and the Dallas Stars (2013-17). He has a career coaching record of 834-652-78-149 in 1,713 regular-season games.
Required reading
(Photo: Isaiah J. Downing / USA Today)
