Devils head coach Lindy Ruff continues to add to his impressive coaching resume.
NEWARK, N.J. -- New Jersey Devils head coach Lindy Ruff tied an impressive milestone after his team's 2-1 overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.
With the team's 15th win of the 2023-24 season, Ruff tied Ken Hitchcock for fourth all-time in wins with 849 victories.
The Warburg, Alberta native began his coaching career with the Florida Panthers during the 1993–94 season as an assistant. Two notable names on that Florida roster were rookie Rob Niedermayer and 25-year-old Tom Fitzgerald, his current general manager.
It was not until July 21, 1997, that Ruff accepted his first head coaching job with the Buffalo Sabres. Since then, he has been behind the Sabres, Dallas Stars, and Devils bench. He has been a Jack Adams finalist four times and won the award with the Sabres in 2005-06.
When the Devils play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, it is Ruff's first chance to take sole possession of fourth place all-time in NHL wins. His next victory will also be his 114th career with New Jersey. That will tie him with Pete DeBoer for third place in regular-season wins all-time in franchise history.
Puck drop between the Devils and Blue Jackets is scheduled for 7:00 P.M. on Saturday, Dec. 16 at Nationwide Arena.