How did a book-writing, speech-giving, globetrotting soccer boss become coach of the Buffalo Sabres?



By impressing a long list of people.



No other NHL coach – hell, no other person in the world – has a résumé like Ralph Krueger. He’s played and worked in Canada, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England and the NHL. He’s authored one of the greatest upsets in Olympic hockey and a self-help book. He’s spoken at the World Economic Forum and in World Cup dressing rooms.



“I know he had other opportunities,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said. “That’s what gets us excited is that he wanted to come here and he wanted to be part of our group here. As much as he has a unique résumé, you look at it and he is a kid from Manitoba who loves the game of hockey. He loves coaching.”



Krueger didn’t know how much he loved coaching until last month. With his contract...