Stars announce Ruff won't return next season

The Dallas Stars will have a new head coach next season as Lindy Ruff won't be brought back, the club announced.

Ruff - in the final year of a four-year contract - is coming off his worst season with the Stars. The team concluded their campaign Saturday, finishing the regular season with just 79 points, 30 fewer than a season ago.

"I want to personally thank Lindy for his commitment and professionalism over the four years that he served as our head coach in Dallas," general manager Jim Nill said in the announcement. "Lindy is not only a highly respected coach, he more importantly is a great person and an outstanding family man whom I have the utmost respect for on and off the ice."

Ruff concludes his time with the Stars with a 165-122-41 record and standing fourth in franchise wins.

The team announced it will begin the process of finding Ruff's successor immediately.