Scotty Bowman Head Coaching Tenure
The architect of the Sabres' late-70s and early-80s competitiveness.
Scotty Bowman served as head coach and general manager of the Buffalo Sabres from the 1979–80 season until he resigned 12 games into the 1986–87 season. He missed the playoffs for the only time in his coaching career in 1985–86.
- Role
- Head Coach
- Major Award
- Jack Adams Trophy (1975)
- Stanley Cup Finals
- 2 Appearances
- Primary Rivalry Era
- Montreal Canadiens
- Status
- Hall of Fame Inductee
Lore & Background
Bowman joined the Sabres around the same time that their stars were growing old. While the Sabres remained competitive for much of his tenure, he was unable to build them into anything approaching the powerhouses he had coached in Montreal. He left the Sabres as coach with the most wins in their history; he has since been passed by Lindy Ruff.
In Their Own Story
The locker room at Memorial Auditorium was quiet, save for the sound of skates sharpening in the corner. Bowman stood before the team, clipboard in hand, eyes scanning every face. He didn't shout; his calm voice carried more weight than any scream could. Tonight was about structure and trust. The ice outside waited cold and bright, ready to test everything he had built over six seasons.
Reader's Guide
Bowman's first season (1979–80) saw him hire Roger Neilson as associate coach. For 1980–81, Neilson became head coach while Bowman focused on general manager duties, but a dispute forced Neilson to leave in June 1981, and Bowman resumed both roles. Bowman resigned during the 1986–87 season and was replaced by Gerry Meehan 12 games into the season.
Did You Know?
- Bowman missed the playoffs for the only time in his coaching career in the 1985–86 season.
- He left the Sabres as the winningest coach in franchise history, a record later broken by Lindy Ruff.
- After leaving the Sabres, he became a color commentator for CBC's Hockey Night in Canada.
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