This road blue knit gamer by Maska was worn by Lindy Ruff during his rookie season in the NHL in 1979-80. Having Scotty Bowman as your first head coach can set quite an example, one that Lindy put into practice when his playing days were over. Following a 12-year NHL playing career, the first 10 with the Sabres, Lindy pursued coaching and landed an assistant’s stint with the expansion Florida Panthers under one of his former mentor’s, Roger Neilson. He then took over the head coaching reigns in Buffalo in 1997 and remains in that position to this day.

Ruff began his NHL playing days as a defenseman and was converted to the left wing a few seasons in. Lindy wasn’t slow to mix things up as his better than 1200 career regular season PIMS indicate. He played inspired playoff hockey as well, tabbing yet another 193 PIMS in a mere 52 games played. Perhaps the greatest honor bestowed upon Ruff during his playing days was the team Captaincy, which he assumed from Sabres legend Gilbert Perreault upon his retirement.

Sewn to the right breast of this beautiful Maska knit is the 1980 Olympic patch. The game wear on this rookie sweater is spectacular. There are stick marks, board burns, board paint transfer, inner pilling and nearly 30 team-sewn repairs. There is evident fight abuse, with one repair affixed in the front of the collar and another that runs from the collar to the crest. This set of sweaters was worn by the Sabres for the majority of the 1979-80 NHL season.

Under new boss Scotty Bowman for the first time, Buffalo won the Adams division with 110 points and allowed a mere 201 goals against, a league best total. The Sabres stormed into the playoffs eventually falling at the hands of the New York Islanders dynasty in the Semi Finals, thus completing one of the most exciting seasons in team history. The 1980 Olympics are thought of by many hockey fans as the greatest moment in the history of the sport. Those Olympic Games took place in Lake Placid, New York. Buffalo was one of two NHL teams, the New York Islanders being the other, who donned the 1980 Olympic patch on their game jerseys. This jersey has been buried away for over a quarter century since leaving Ruff’s back and is now entering our hobby for the very first time. A true must have for any serious Sabres fan.