In the wake of an inquiry into player pictures, Mike Babcock leaves his position as Blue Jackets coach.
Babcock’s actions were looked at by the NHLPA after he asked players for private images.
The coach with two gold medals from the Olympics and a Stanley Cup triumph, Mike Babcock, has lost his past two NHL positions.
It was for losing too many games the previous time. This time, it was because of his dealings with athletes that fit into an unsettling pattern of previous conduct.
Just two months into his position, Babcock announced his resignation as the Columbus Blue Jackets’ coach on Sunday. Less than a week before, he had drawn fire for being overly intrusive when he asked players for personal images as a way to foster camaraderie.
After Babcock’s behavior was the subject of an NHL Players’ Association inquiry, the franchise abruptly announced his departure. Babcock was replaced by Pascal Vincent, who inked a two-year deal that would last through the 2024–2025 season.
“We should treat our players with dignity at work,” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh declared. Sadly, such was not the situation in Columbus. It is the right decision for the team to proceed with hiring a new head coach.
On his podcast on Tuesday, former NHL player Paul Bissonnette said that Babcock was invading players’ privacy by requesting players to show him their images, which were then shown for public viewing. Rejecting the allegations, Babcock and captain Boone Jenner explained that it was simply a means for the new coach to get to know the players.
In spite of this, the players union started an investigation and informed the league on Friday of its results.
General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement, “This was a difficult decision on everyone’s part, but one we felt necessary to ensure our focus remains on the players and the team’s upcoming season.” “We would like to express our gratitude to Mike on behalf of the entire Blue Jackets organization for his dedication and professionalism in developing a plan to retire.”
Babcock’s background of divisive, traditional teaching methods—many of which surfaced following his firing by Toronto in 2019—put his behavior under close scrutiny. Since then, this was his first NHL job.
After some thought, Babcock stated, “it has become evident that staying on as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was going to be too much of a distraction.” “Although I regret not being able to carry on the job we started, I understand that it is best for the organization for me to step down at this time. I’m wishing the forthcoming season the best for every member of the company.
After being fired by Toronto, Babcock, the 2008 Stanley Cup-winning coach of Detroit, declared upon accepting the Columbus position in July that he had grown as a coach and had learned better ways to handle players.
Following Babcock’s firing by the Maple Leafs, a rumor arose stating that Babcock had requested a player to rank his teammates in order of hardest to least hardworking, then shared that ranking with the team as a whole. Babcock, who was formerly regarded as the best hockey coach, was not well-liked by other former players.
Rather, Babcock’s NHL career may be coming to an end, raising concerns about Kekalainen’s future in Columbus.
Since taking over in February 2013, Kekalainen has employed three coaches, including Babcock. For the past three seasons, the Blue Jackets have failed to make it to the playoffs.
Vincent, who will turn fifty-two later this month, was among the applicants for the position when Babcock was hired. After serving as the Manitoba Moose’s coach for four seasons in the American Hockey League, he spent the previous two seasons as an assistant under former coach Brad Larsen.
Vincent is an exceptional coach who “knows our players and organization and is respected by everyone here,” according to Kekalainen.
“He is in the best position to help us navigate this change as we begin camp and lead our team going forward,” Kekalainen said. “He was a strong candidate for our head coaching position several months ago.”
Although Vincent acknowledged that the day had been challenging, he was excited about the chance.
He remarked, “We have an amazing group of guys that have been working really hard to get ready for the season.” “My main goal will be to assist our staff in improving daily and preparing for what we anticipate to be an exciting season by working with them.”
