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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Lindy Ruff’s Road from Warburg to the NHL

Posted on by Melissa Flandreau

When the Stars faced the Flyers back on Oct. 20th, the game was noteworthy for a reason other than the players on the ice. Head coaches Lindy Ruff and Dave Hakstol hailed from the same tiny Alberta town of Warburg. Sportsnet’s Mark Spector spoke with both men about how they ended up in their current spots.

“What’s the chance of a kid from Warburg ending up [at the University of] North Dakota, and another ending up in Buffalo, New York? Then they both end up coaching? Those odds are, well, it’s a pretty big number,” Lindy reckons.

“Some of it is luck. Some of it is the hard work both of us put in to get here. To have two people from that small of a town to end up there, it’s an incredible coincidence, I guess.”

Ruff also talked about the attitude toward hockey in Warburg.

There’s a work ethic here in Warburg that comes from a time before young players had wheels on their hockey bags and comfy indoor rinks. When a steady stream of young men came to the NHL off of Canadian farms, and hockey was a privilege to be enjoyed only after the chores were done and the tools put away.

“Nowadays in Warburg, it’s hard to even get a full team together at certain ages,” Ruff marvels, as our villages age and young families move to the cities. “When I was young you played in Calmar, Thorsby, Warburg, Winfield, Breton, Alder Flats… You played in Lindale — I’m not even sure there’s a town there anymore. But they had a team back then.

For more on Ruff—including his “recipe” for stucco—head to link. [Sportsnet]

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Last night, the Stars beat the Bruins 5-3, thanks to a hat trick from Tyler Seguin. He seems to do that a lot.

Ignore that part about Perry, ‘kay?

Here’s what Seguin himself had to say about the win.

You can also get the rundown from Mike Heika. [SportsDayDFW]

Puck Daddy wonders whether the Stars are for real. You’ll like the answer. [Puck Daddy]

Alex Goligoski talks about how playing hockey growing up in Minnesota helped prepare him for the NHL. [USA Hockey]

In Edmonton, Connor McDavid left the Oilers–Flyers game after going awkwardly into the boards. Coach Todd McLellan said the upper-body injury would keep McDavid out long-term.

Former NHL defenseman Wade Redden explains why playing on the blue line after you turn 30 is so tough to do. [The Guardian]

Don’t hold your breath for any expansion updates in December. [The Hockey News]

Wild assistant coach Darryl Sydor returned to the ice in Minnesota after pleading guilty to second degree driving while impaired. [Star Tribune]

According to Darren Dreger, a World Cup of Hockey update should be coming tomorrow.

As the Calder race continues, see how standout rookies Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, and Max Domi compare when looking at #fancystats. [Sportsnet]

TSN’s Scott Cullen examines players who’ve seen their ice time jump or drop significantly in 2015-16 —including Trevor Daley, who’s averaging about six fewer minutes in Chicago than he did in Dallas. [TSN]

The Buffalo News is reporting that the alleged victim in the Patrick Kane rape case no longer wishes to cooperate in the investigation. [Buffalo News]

The WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds are throwing back to when the Metropolitans were taking home Stanley Cups.

The Blackhawks sent Bryan Bickell—who’s in the midst of a four-year, $16 million contract—down to the AHL. So what happened to the winger? [Second City Hockey]

Now retired, 32-year-old former Devils center Brad Mills talks about the adrenaline and stress caused by being an NHL/AHL bubble player. [The Players’ Tribune]

How do you know what to do on a breakaway? [The Score]

And finally, celebrate hat tricks everywhere—but especially those that take place against Boston—by treating yo’self to something stylish.

Talking Points