Lindy Ruff coached the Sabres from 1997-98 until Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Stars introduce Ruff as new coach

BUFFALO – The media couldn’t wait to ask Lindy Ruff, the Dallas Stars’ new coach, about “No Goal,” the disputed 1999 Stanley Cup-winning goal by Dallas’ Brett Hull that defeated Ruff’s Sabres.

It was the first question.

Of course, Ruff has always contended shouldn’t have counted because Hull’s skate was in the crease.

“It’s a long time ago,” Ruff, fired by the Sabres after more than 15 years on Feb. 20, told reporters in Dallas today during his introductory news conference. “I said to (general manager) Jim (Nill) when I first agreed to meet with him, ‘I’ll meet you, but we can’t meet in the crease.’ I’ve had some great memories. I’ve gotten past that. I’m a coach. I want to coach, and I think this is an unbelievable opportunity. It all worked out great for Dallas. It didn’t work so good for us back then.

“I can tell you one thing, that that same emotion and same passion will be here in Dallas if the same type of thing happens or even anything similar, because that’s the fire I have, and that’s what you can look forward to.”

Ruff called joining the Stars “just a real good fit.”

“Do I have questions?” Ruff asked. “Sure I have questions. It’s my first kick at going through this.”

For more info on Ruff’s hiring as the 22nd coach in franchise history, click here.

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