Last Updated on November 7, 2026 by Janet Asprin
Lindy Ruff is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former NHL player who serves as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on February 17, 1960, Ruff grew up in Warburg, Alberta, Canada, where he developed his passion for hockey in a hardworking farming family.
His wife is Gaye Ruff, whom he married in 1985. The couple have four children: two sons, Brett and Brian Ruff, and two daughters, Eryn and Madeleine Ruff. Brian and Madeleine are twins.
Ruff’s parents are Leeson Ruff and Shirley Ruff, who raised him alongside his three brothers, Randy, Marty and Brent Ruff. His younger brother Brent tragically died in the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus accident.
Throughout his playing and coaching career, family has remained an important part of Ruff’s life, influencing his work ethic, leadership philosophy and connection to the hockey community.
Lindy Ruff’s Wife: Who Is Gaye Ruff?
Lindy Ruff is married to Gaye Ruff, his longtime wife and the mother of their four children.
The couple married in 1985, during the period when Lindy was playing professionally for the Buffalo Sabres.
Their marriage has continued throughout his lengthy career as an NHL player, assistant coach and head coach.
Gaye has generally maintained a private life despite her husband’s prominent position in professional hockey.
Unlike Lindy, who regularly appears in interviews and press conferences, she rarely discusses her personal life publicly.
However, she has attended important hockey events and participated in community initiatives alongside her husband.
Where Is Gaye Ruff From?
Published biographical accounts identify Gaye Ruff as originally being from Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
Lindy played junior hockey with the Lethbridge Broncos during the late 1970s, giving him an early connection to the community.
Some biographies suggest that their relationship began during his junior hockey years, although the exact circumstances of their first meeting have not been independently confirmed through official NHL reporting.
The couple subsequently established their family home in Western New York while Lindy played for the Buffalo Sabres.
They raised their children in Clarence, a suburb of Buffalo.
Although Lindy’s coaching career later took him to Dallas and New Jersey, the Buffalo area remained an important part of the family’s life.
Gaye Ruff’s Community and Charity Work
Gaye Ruff has participated in charitable activities alongside her husband.
On April 2, 2025, the Buffalo Sabres published an official announcement about donations to the Family Justice Center of Erie County.
The organization provides assistance and support to people affected by domestic abuse.
The Sabres and Rich Family Foundation each contributed $25,000 to support its work.
Gaye and Lindy attended the donation presentation alongside other members of the Sabres community, including players’ wives and hockey operations personnel.
Their participation demonstrated their involvement in charitable initiatives beyond professional hockey.
Further details about Gaye’s occupation, education and personal background have not been extensively documented in reliable public sources.
How Long Have Lindy Ruff and Gaye Ruff Been Married?
Lindy and Gaye Ruff have been married since 1985.
Their relationship has lasted through several major transitions in Lindy’s professional career.
When they married, Ruff was an established NHL player with the Buffalo Sabres.
He later became the team’s captain before finishing his playing career with the New York Rangers and in the minor leagues.
After retiring, he entered coaching, beginning with the Florida Panthers in 1993.
He subsequently became head coach of the Buffalo Sabres in 1997.
Throughout those years, the couple raised their four children while managing the responsibilities associated with professional hockey.
Their marriage has also continued through Lindy’s coaching appointments with the Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres.
Lindy Ruff’s Children: Meet His Two Sons and Two Daughters
Lindy Ruff and his wife, Gaye, have four children: Brett Ruff, Eryn Ruff, Brian Ruff and Madeleine Ruff.
Their names are officially confirmed in New Jersey Devils coaching biographies and historical Buffalo Sabres media guides.
Brett is the oldest child, followed by Eryn. Brian and Madeleine are twins and the youngest children.
Brett Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Oldest Son
Brett Ruff is Lindy and Gaye Ruff’s oldest son.
He grew up in Clarence, New York, while his father played and coached professional hockey.
Brett developed an interest in the administrative side of professional sports rather than pursuing the same playing career as his father.
He attended Syracuse University, where he studied sport management.
After completing his education, Brett pursued opportunities in sports administration.
He eventually joined the Buffalo Sabres organization, establishing his own professional connection to the NHL.
According to the Sabres’ official staff directory, Brett Ruff serves as Manager of Hockey Administration.
The position places him within the organization’s hockey operations department.
His involvement with Buffalo represents another generation of the Ruff family’s association with the franchise.
While Lindy leads the team behind the bench, Brett works in its administrative operations.
Eryn Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Oldest Daughter
Eryn Ruff is Lindy and Gaye Ruff’s older daughter and second child.
Her identity is confirmed in official NHL coaching biographies, including publications issued by the New Jersey Devils.
Eryn grew up in Western New York alongside her brothers and younger sister.
Her childhood coincided with a successful period in her father’s coaching career, including the Buffalo Sabres’ appearance in the 1999 Stanley Cup Final.
Unlike her father and older brother Brett, Eryn has largely remained outside professional hockey media coverage.
There is limited verified public information about her occupation, current residence and personal relationships.
Although secondary biographies discuss aspects of her education and career, those details have not been independently confirmed through official NHL reporting.
Brian Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Son
Brian Ruff is one of Lindy and Gaye Ruff’s twin children.
He was born on August 16, 1994, and is the twin brother of Madeleine Ruff.
Like his father and several other members of the Ruff family, Brian developed an interest in competitive ice hockey.
He played junior hockey in the Buffalo area, representing the Buffalo Stars and Buffalo Jr. Sabres.
According to the Elite Prospects hockey database, Brian played as a forward.
During the 2011–12 season, he recorded 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points in 34 games with the Buffalo Stars.
He subsequently played for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres in the Ontario Junior Hockey League during the 2012–13 season.
Brian recorded seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 33 regular-season games with the team.
Although he participated in competitive junior hockey, Brian did not establish an NHL playing career.
Later biographical reporting has associated him with professional work outside hockey, including medical sales.
However, details about his current employment and personal relationships have not been extensively documented through official sports sources.
Madeleine Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Youngest Daughter
Madeleine Ruff, also known as Maddie, is Lindy and Gaye Ruff’s youngest daughter.
She was born on August 16, 1994, and is the twin sister of Brian Ruff.
Her identity is confirmed in historical Buffalo Sabres media guides, which specifically identify Brian and Madeleine as twins.
Madeleine grew up in Clarence alongside Brett, Eryn and Brian.
Her childhood took place during Lindy’s first tenure as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres.
Unlike her father, Madeleine has pursued interests outside professional hockey.
Published biographical accounts have associated her with studies in occupational therapy, although detailed information about her present professional activities is limited.
She generally maintains a private life outside NHL reporting.
Does Lindy Ruff Have Grandchildren?
Although Lindy and Gaye Ruff have four adult children, reliable public sources reviewed for this profile do not establish how many grandchildren they may have.
The couple’s children have generally kept their relationships and family lives private.
Therefore, it would be inaccurate to provide a specific number of grandchildren without trustworthy confirmation.
Lindy Ruff’s Parents: Who Are His Father and Mother?
Lindy Ruff’s parents are Leeson Ruff and Shirley Ruff.
Both were closely associated with the farming community of Warburg, Alberta, where they raised Lindy and his three brothers.
Their identities are confirmed by Hockey Canada, the New Jersey Devils and reporting published by The Athletic.
The family relied on hard work, cooperation and community involvement, values that Ruff later carried into professional hockey.
Lindy Ruff’s Father: Leeson Ruff
Leeson Ruff was Lindy Ruff’s father and a farmer from Warburg, Alberta.
His name has occasionally appeared as Leeston in historical reporting, although the New Jersey Devils identified him as Leeson Ruff.
Leeson worked on the family farm and was also involved in the local community.
In addition to farming, he worked as a school bus driver.
He supported the hockey ambitions of his four sons, who spent considerable time playing on outdoor rinks and participating in organized competition.
Because Warburg was a small community with limited hockey facilities, Leeson frequently drove the boys to other towns for practices and games.
In a 2019 Hockey Canada interview, Lindy recalled that his parents sometimes traveled in different directions to accommodate the brothers’ hockey schedules.
Randy played in Leduc, while Lindy participated in hockey in Drayton Valley.
Those trips required considerable time and dedication.
Lindy has frequently credited his parents with making sacrifices so their children could participate in organized sports.
Leeson Ruff’s Support During Lindy’s Coaching Career
Leeson continued supporting his son after Lindy became an NHL player and coach.
In June 1999, he traveled to watch Buffalo compete against the Dallas Stars in the Stanley Cup Final.
According to The Washington Post, Leeson attended games during the championship series and reflected on the years he had spent transporting his sons to hockey activities.
In May 2019, he also spoke with Hockey Canada about the pride he felt seeing Lindy and fellow Warburg native Dave Hakstol work together on Canada’s coaching staff at the IIHF World Championship.
Leeson remained closely connected to the community where his family had lived for decades.
He died on January 28, 2022, at the age of 88.
At the time, Lindy was head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
The Devils announced that he would temporarily miss games following his father’s death.
Lindy returned to Alberta to spend time with relatives and support his mother during the family’s bereavement.
Lindy Ruff’s Mother: Shirley Ruff
Shirley Ruff is Lindy Ruff’s mother and another important influence on his upbringing.
She raised her four sons alongside Leeson while helping manage the responsibilities associated with the family farm.
In interviews with Hockey Canada, Lindy credited both parents with teaching their children the value of hard work.
Shirley supported the boys’ participation in baseball and hockey despite the demanding schedule associated with farm life.
She has maintained a strong connection to Warburg, the Alberta community where Lindy grew up.
According to a February 2026 feature by Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic, Shirley continued living in Warburg.
The article described how she traveled to Edmonton in December 2025 to have lunch with her son while the Sabres were visiting Alberta.
The occasion provided an opportunity for the two to spend time together away from the pressures of professional hockey.
The story illustrated the close relationship Ruff continues to maintain with his mother.
Lindy Ruff’s Siblings: Meet His Three Brothers
Lindy Ruff grew up with three brothers: Randy Ruff, Marty Ruff and Brent Ruff.
All four brothers participated in competitive hockey, making the Ruff family well known in the sport within their Alberta community.
Randy is Lindy’s older brother, while Marty and Brent are younger.
Randy Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Older Brother
Randy Ruff is Lindy Ruff’s older brother and a former junior hockey player and coach.
Like Lindy, Randy grew up playing hockey in and around Warburg.
During their youth, the brothers sometimes competed in different communities because their hometown lacked sufficient organized hockey opportunities.
Randy played in Leduc, while Lindy played in Drayton Valley.
Randy later became involved in junior hockey coaching and remained connected to the sport.
He has also participated in memorial activities honoring his younger brother Brent, who died in the 1986 Swift Current Broncos bus accident.
In January 2017, Randy spoke at an event commemorating the players who lost their lives.
He remembered Brent as an exceptionally talented young hockey player and reflected on the lasting impact of the tragedy on their family.
Marty Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Younger Brother
Marty Ruff is another of Lindy Ruff’s brothers and a former competitive ice hockey defenseman.
He followed the family’s tradition of pursuing hockey at a high level.
Marty developed through junior competition and attracted attention from NHL scouts.
In the 1981 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues selected Marty Ruff in the first round, 20th overall.
His selection was an important achievement for the family because Lindy had already been drafted by the Buffalo Sabres two years earlier.
Although Marty was a first-round draft selection, he did not establish an NHL playing career.
His professional opportunities included competition outside the NHL.
Detailed information about his later occupation and personal life has not been extensively documented in established hockey reporting.
Brent Ruff: Lindy Ruff’s Younger Brother
Brent Ruff was Lindy Ruff’s youngest brother and a promising Canadian junior hockey player.
He grew up in Warburg alongside Randy, Lindy and Marty.
Brent developed into a talented forward and eventually joined the Swift Current Broncos of the Western Hockey League.
His hockey career showed considerable promise, and his family believed he had the potential to compete at higher levels.
However, his life ended tragically on December 30, 1986, when he was just 16 years old.
What Happened to Brent Ruff?
On December 30, 1986, the Swift Current Broncos were traveling to a junior hockey game when their team bus crashed on an icy highway near Swift Current, Saskatchewan.
Four players died in the accident: Brent Ruff, Trent Kresse, Scott Kruger and Chris Mantyka.
The tragedy deeply affected their families and the Canadian junior hockey community.
At the time, Lindy was playing for the Buffalo Sabres.
Brent’s death was a devastating loss for the Ruff family.
In 2016, a memorial was erected near the accident site to honor the four players.
Randy Ruff attended the memorial ceremony and spoke about his brother’s hockey talent and the family’s memories of him.
Hockey Canada has also documented Brent’s connection to Dave Hakstol, who was one of his former teammates.
Although Brent’s life was cut short, his memory remains part of the family’s hockey legacy.
Lindy Ruff’s Childhood and Family Background
Lindy Ruff grew up in Warburg, a small village southwest of Edmonton, Alberta.
His family worked in agriculture, and he learned the importance of cooperation and physical effort from an early age.
Farm responsibilities formed part of daily life, while hockey and baseball provided opportunities for recreation and competition.
During his childhood, Warburg did not always have sufficient indoor hockey facilities.
The boys often played on outdoor rinks or traveled to other communities.
Ruff’s family also participated in fundraising efforts to improve local sporting facilities.
According to Hockey Canada, the community organized sponsored walks to help finance a roof over the Warburg Arena.
Lindy recalled walking long distances during summer fundraising events.
These experiences helped him appreciate the importance of community involvement and shared responsibility.
How Lindy Ruff’s Family Influenced His Hockey Career
Ruff has frequently credited his upbringing with shaping his competitive mentality and leadership style.
Working on the family farm taught him discipline and responsibility.
Playing hockey with three brothers helped develop his competitiveness.
Meanwhile, his parents demonstrated the importance of supporting others through difficult circumstances.
Those lessons eventually influenced his approach to coaching.
During a January 2026 interview with NHL.com, Ruff described his belief that a hockey team should operate with the same commitment and mutual support as a family.
He emphasized that players experiencing personal difficulties should receive understanding and encouragement from the organization.
His comments reflected values closely associated with his childhood in Alberta.
Lindy Ruff’s Playing Career
Lindy Ruff began his major junior hockey career in Western Canada before attracting attention from NHL scouts.
In the 1979 NHL Entry Draft, the Buffalo Sabres selected him in the second round, 32nd overall.
He made his NHL debut during the 1979–80 season and gradually established himself as a hardworking, physical player.
Ruff played both defense and left wing during his professional career.
He also served as captain of the Sabres.
Following a trade in 1989, he played for the New York Rangers.
He completed his NHL career with 105 goals and 195 assists for 300 points in 691 regular-season games.
After retiring from the NHL, Ruff continued playing and coaching in the minor leagues before transitioning fully into professional coaching.
Lindy Ruff’s Coaching Career With the Buffalo Sabres
After serving as an assistant coach with the Florida Panthers, Lindy Ruff became head coach of the Buffalo Sabres in 1997.
He led the organization to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999, where Buffalo lost to the Dallas Stars.
He also guided the Sabres through successful playoff campaigns during the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons.
His outstanding coaching performance during the 2005–06 season earned him the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year.
After leaving Buffalo in 2013, Ruff served as head coach of the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.
He also spent time as an assistant coach with the New York Rangers.
On April 22, 2024, the Sabres announced his return as head coach.
During the 2025–26 season, he helped Buffalo return to the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2011.
On May 20, 2026, the Sabres signed Ruff to a two-year contract extension through the 2027–28 season.
Throughout his extensive coaching career, his wife and family have remained important parts of his life.
Lindy Ruff’s Family Life Away From Hockey
Outside the NHL, Ruff enjoys spending time with his family and participating in outdoor activities.
Historical Sabres media guides identify fishing, boating and golf among his interests.
The Ruff family has also spent time in Montana, where they have enjoyed summer activities away from the demands of professional hockey.
Although Lindy’s work frequently requires travel, his family has maintained longstanding connections to Western New York.
His eldest son Brett’s employment with the Buffalo Sabres provides an additional professional connection to the organization.
Ruff has also continued visiting his hometown in Alberta and maintaining contact with relatives and friends from childhood.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lindy Ruff’s Family
Who is Lindy Ruff’s wife?
Lindy Ruff’s wife is Gaye Ruff. The couple have been married since 1985.
How many children does Lindy Ruff have?
Lindy Ruff and his wife have four children: Brett, Eryn, Brian and Madeleine Ruff.
Are any of Lindy Ruff’s children twins?
Yes. Brian Ruff and Madeleine Ruff are twins, born on August 16, 1994.
Who is Brett Ruff?
Brett Ruff is Lindy’s oldest son and serves as Manager of Hockey Administration for the Buffalo Sabres.
Who is Brian Ruff?
Brian Ruff is Lindy’s son and Madeleine’s twin brother. He previously played junior hockey for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres.
Who are Lindy Ruff’s daughters?
Lindy Ruff has two daughters, Eryn Ruff and Madeleine Ruff.
Who is Lindy Ruff’s father?
His father was Leeson Ruff, a farmer and school bus driver from Warburg, Alberta. He died on January 28, 2022, at age 88.
Who is Lindy Ruff’s mother?
His mother is Shirley Ruff, who raised Lindy and his brothers in Warburg, Alberta.
How many siblings does Lindy Ruff have?
Lindy Ruff has three brothers: Randy Ruff, Marty Ruff and the late Brent Ruff.
What happened to Lindy Ruff’s brother?
His youngest brother, Brent Ruff, died at age 16 in the Swift Current Broncos team bus accident on December 30, 1986.
Was Marty Ruff drafted into the NHL?
Yes. Marty Ruff was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round, 20th overall, of the 1981 NHL Entry Draft.
Does Lindy Ruff have grandchildren?
The number of grandchildren Lindy Ruff may have has not been reliably established through the public sources reviewed.
Where is Lindy Ruff’s family from?
Lindy Ruff grew up in Warburg, Alberta, Canada. He later established his family home in Clarence, New York, near Buffalo.
A dedicated ice hockey journalist, Janet Asprin delivers sharp, detailed coverage of the NHL season. From evaluating trade deadline moves and line combinations to analyzing power plays and postseason standings, Janet brings a fresh, structured perspective to every game. She focuses on translating high-speed rink strategy into compelling stories and actionable insights for hockey fans.
