Former NHL coach Mike Babcock embracing opportunity at University of Saskatchewan
Mike Babcock has begun his first, and maybe solely, season as head coach of the College of Saskatchewan Huskies.
In February, the 58-year-old agreed to teach the Saskatchewan Huskies, changing Dave Adolph, who retired in April after 28 years with this system.
Babcock grew up in Saskatoon and performed for the Huskies for one season in 1981-82. The choice to teach the workforce finally got here right down to spending extra time with household and training alongside his son Michael, who’s an assistant coach with the workforce.
“They talked to me about doing this. I do know the president, knew the athletic director, however in the long run when my son stated to me, ‘Hey, I’m going to go away what I’m doing. I’ll get my MBA and I wish to coach with you,’ then that’s what tilted me,” Babcock stated.
The veteran coach is just not new to post-secondary hockey. He was the pinnacle bench boss of the College of Lethbridge when the workforce captured the nationwide championship in 1993-94.
However after spending 18 years with the NHL, Babcock is readjusting to teaching pupil athletes.
“They’re very skilled. Their life could be very structured. They work exhausting at school. They arrive to the rink and work exhausting and so they appear to take pleasure in being with their households as properly.”
The Huskies gamers are additionally adjusting. They admit it took time to get accustomed to getting coached by a person who they watched on tv main the Detroit Pink Wings to a Stanley Cup and Canada to a IIHF World Championship and two Olympic gold medals.
“He’s a passionate man and intense and he calls for lots, however he’s additionally a personable man and a man that type of simply likes being across the guys as properly,” Huskies assistant captain Carter Folks stated.
“So I feel our group has responded properly and simply type of embracing the entire data that he has and attempting to work for him.”
By the primary few weeks of the season, Babcock is having fun with the expertise.
“What I discovered with the blokes is that they embrace working exhausting.
“Once they come they exercise exhausting, they practice exhausting, they’re all in once they’re on the rink.”
Learn extra:
Mike Babcock fired as Toronto Maple Leafs head coach
Babcock’s outcomes as a hockey coach will not be in query. His accolades are many, together with successful a Stanley Cup, IIHF World Championship and two Olympic gold medals.
Nevertheless, some have questioned his ways. Since being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in November 2019, a few of his former gamers have accused Babcock of being verbally abusive and utilizing intimidation.
However former Maple Leaf and present Edmonton Oilers ahead Zach Hyman has a unique perspective of his former coach.
“I feel he’s an ideal coach. He’s one of many winningest coaches within the historical past of the sport and I can’t say sufficient about how a lot he helped me and I don’t suppose I’d be right here with out having him as a coach,” Hyman stated.
Babcock has taken over teaching duties of the UofS workforce on a short lived foundation. He’s not positive what the longer term holds after this season, however he isn’t ruling out a return to the NHL if introduced with the chance.
“I plan on doing this till March after which I’m going to affix my spouse in Palm Springs and I’ll see what occurs,” he stated.
Babcock has achieved lots as a coach, however how the ultimate stage of his profession unfolds will solely be decided in time.
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