Blue Jackets hire Mike Babcock as coach
The Columbus Blue Jackets plan to name Stanley Cup winner Mike Babcock as their new head coach, Sportsnet reported Saturday.
The hiring will be finalized when Babcock’s contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs expires at the end of June, according to reports.
The Blue Jackets waived Brad Larsen on April 15 after finishing last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 25-48-9 (59 points).
Babcock, 60, has not coached in the NHL since being fired by Toronto in November 2019. His eight-year contract expires at the end of this month.
He led Detroit to the 2008 Stanley Cup championship, reached the Stanley Cup Finals with the Red Wings in 2009 and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2003.
His NHL coaching career includes 700 wins in 1,301 regular season games for the Ducks (2002-2004), Red Wings (2005-15), and Maple Leafs (2015-19).
He also led Canada to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2004 World Championships.
Babcock coached the University of Saskatchewan men’s hockey team in the 2021-22 season.
–Field level media
https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/273853372/reports-blue-jackets-hiring-mike-babcock-as-coach?utm_source=feeds.bignewsnetwork.com&utm_medium=referral Blue Jackets hire Mike Babcock as coach
