The Buffalo Sabres have officially signed head coach Ted Nolan to a full-time contract, the team announced Monday.
Nolan has served as interim head coach since November, when the Sabres overhauled the face of their franchise by firing general manager Darcy Regier and head coach Ron Rolston.
The Sabres signed Nolan to a reported three-year extension, according to CBSSports.com.
“I said back in November that it was a dream to be able to come back and coach the Sabres and that’s still true today,” Nolan said. “Hockey is my life and Buffalo is a special place for hockey. I’m excited by the challenge facing our team and our organization and I’m truly thankful to have this opportunity.”
The Sabres currently sit in last place with a 20-45-9 record after a franchise-worst 4-15-1 start to the season under Rolston. Buffalo hasn’t fared much better under Nolan since the change, going 1-10-1 in its last 12. But general manager Tim Murray thinks he’s tapped the right guy for the job.
“We are very happy to get this deal done and have Ted Nolan as our permanent head coach going forward,” Murray said. “Teddy has proven time and again that he is an exceptional leader, motivator and teacher. He is exactly what we need in a head coach for our hockey team and we’re confident in his ability to guide our players and turn this team around.”
Nolan coached the Sabres to a 73-72-19 record in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons, and spent time as head coach of the New York Islanders.
Photo via Twitter/@BuffaloSabres
