Stars announce Lindy Ruff is their new head coach

The Dallas Stars said through social media early Friday that Lindy Ruff has been hired as head coach.

The Stars plan on having a news conference in the afternoon to introduce Ruff, who will be the franchise's 22nd coach.

"One of the trademarks of successful organizations is their ability to have continuity and stability for an extended period of time," new Stars general manager Jim Nill said in a statement. "We have found the right person to provide that stability and lead this club to the next level."

The move was first hinted at Thursday when Stars owner Jim Lites appeared at a local chamber of commerce meeting.

Ruff compiled a 571-432-162 regular record overall as coach of Buffalo Sabres. He was hired on July 21, 1997 and let go on Feb. 20 this year, during which time there were 170 coaching changes around the NHL.

He had an association with the Sabres for nearly a quarter-century, having been an NHL player in Buffalo in the 1980s. Before returning to the city as head coach, Ruff served on Doug MacLean's staff with the Florida Panthers in the mid-1990s.

Ruff led the Sabres to a Stanley Cup final appearance in 1999, with the irony being that he's now at the helm of the Dallas team that defeated Buffalo on a controversial championship goal.

Dallas has not made the playoffs since 2008, although they were in the mix for a post-season spot until the final weekend of the past season.

"After speaking at length with Jim Nill, it was clear that all the right pieces are coming together to return this club to the upper-echelon of the NHL," Ruff said. "I look forward to leading its resurgence."

Nill took over as Dallas general manager in late April, succeeding Joe Nieuwendyk. One of Nill's first moves was to fire Glen Gulutzan as coach after two years on the job.

The Stars were said to have also interviewed veteran NHL head coaches Alain Vigneault and John Tortorella. Vigneault, let go in May by Vancouver, has been named head coach of the New York Rangers, Tortorella's most recent job.

In addition to his vast experience with the Sabres, Ruff coached Canada to a silver at the world championships in 2009. Under his helm this spring, Canada had an impressive preliminary round but ultimately finished fifth.

The Warburg, Alta., native was also part of Mike Babcock's staff for the gold medal team in Vancouver at the 2010 Olympics.

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