The Buffalo Sabres have removed the interim tag from Ron Rolston's title, today naming him the team's permanent head coach. Rolston, 46, was tapped in February after the team dismissed longtime coach Lindy Ruff. Though the team failed to make the playoffs, the Sabres went 15-11-5 after Rolston took over behind the bench.
Before his promotion to Buffalo, Rolston was in his second season coaching the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
"For me, it's both very exciting and humbling to be able to be the head coach of such a storied organization," Rolston said in a news conference Tuesday morning at First Niagara Center.
General Manager Darcy Regier says Rolston's time as coach and reputation as a teacher of the game earned him the job.
"I think that starting with when he took over the hockey club, I was very impressed with the work he did individually and with the players, and I look forward to him continuing that," Regier said.
Rolston has agreed to a multi-year contract. The terms were not released. He says decisions on his coaching staff will be made in the coming weeks.
The Sabres missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season and the fourth time in six seasons.
