TORONTO – Coach Lindy Ruff acknowledged, a bit sheepishly, he once rooted for the Buffalo Sabres’ Atlantic Division rival.
“I hate to say this, but I was a Leafs fan growing up,” Ruff said this morning in Scotiabank Arena.
Ruff, one of most revered figures in Sabres history, made his admission because Maple Leafs icon Darryl Sittler will be honored prior to tonight’s game for the 50th anniversary of his legendary 10-point outing.
In the NHL’s 108-year history, Sittler is the only player to reach the stunning mark.
On Feb. 7, 1976, he scored six goals and four points in Toronto’s 11-4 annihilation of the Boston Bruins in Maple Leaf Gardens.
Ruff, who was about to turn 16, watched on television as one of his heroes put on a dynamic offensive display that has never been matched.
“He was one of my favorite players,” said Ruff, who grew up in Warburg, Alberta. “I can go back and name Norm Ullman and Ron Ellis – all the different players way back then. But that was unbelievable night for Leafs hockey, for sure.”
Ruff’s Maple Leafs fandom is long gone. The Sabres’ closest rival might also be their fiercest.
Still, in his office, he said he keeps a picture of another Maple Leafs legend.
“I have a picture of Dave Keon,” he said. “I have to admit.
After Keon came out of retirement in 1979-80, Ruff’s rookie season, to join the Hartford Whalers, he played against him for three seasons.