Mike Babcock, the coach with a Stanley Cup championship and two Olympic gold medals on his resume, has misplaced his final two jobs within the NHL.
Last time, it was for shedding too many video games. This time, it was for his interactions with gamers that adopted a disturbing sample of previous habits.
Babcock resigned as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday after simply two months on the job, lower than every week after his requests for private images from gamers in a bonding effort drew criticism as too invasive.
The crew introduced Babcock’s abrupt departure within the aftermath of an investigation by the NHL Players’ Association into his conduct. Pascal Vincent was named Babcock’s substitute and signed a two-year contract by the 2024-25 season.
“Our players deserve to be treated with respect in the workplace,” NHLPA govt director Marty Walsh stated. “Unfortunately, that was not the case in Columbus. The club’s decision to move forward with a new head coach is the appropriate course of action.”
Former NHL participant Paul Bissonnette reported on his podcast Tuesday that Babcock was asking gamers to point out him images and projecting them for others to see in an invasion of privateness. Babcock and captain Boone Jenner denied the report, saying it was only a manner of the brand new coach attending to know gamers.
Still, the gamers union launched a assessment and up to date the league Friday on its findings.
“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,” common supervisor Jarmo Kekalainen stated in a press release. “On behalf of the entire Blue Jackets organization, we want to thank Mike for his hard work and the professionalism he has shown in working together on a plan to step down.”
Babcock’s conduct was below the microscope given his historical past of polarizing, old-school teaching strategies, a lot of which got here to gentle after he was fired by Toronto in 2019. This was his first NHL job since.
“Upon reflection, it has become clear that continuing as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was going to be too much of a distraction,” Babcock stated. “While I’m disappointed to not have had the opportunity to continue the work we’ve begun, I know it’s in the best interest of the organization for me to step away at this time. I wish everyone in the organization well in the upcoming season.”
Babcock, the 2008 Stanley Cup-winning coach with Detroit, stated upon taking the Columbus job in July that he advanced as a coach and discovered how higher to take care of gamers following his firing by Toronto.
A report surfaced after the Maple Leafs fired Babcock that he had requested a participant to share his rating of teammates from hardest- to least-hardest working after which shared that with the remainder of the group. Other former gamers expressed their dissatisfaction with Babcock, who at one level was thought-about the most effective coach in hockey.
Instead, Babcock’s time within the NHL could be over, and with it comes questions on Kekalainen’s future in Columbus.
Babcock was the third coach Kekalainen has employed since taking on in February 2013. The Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs every of the previous three seasons.
Vincent, who turns 52 later this month, was one of many candidates for the job when Babcock acquired it. He was an assistant on former coach Brad Larsen’s workers the earlier two seasons after 4 years as coach of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose.
Kekalainen referred to as Vincent an impressive coach who “knows our players and organization and is respected by everyone here.”
“He was a strong candidate for our head coaching position several months ago and is in the best position to help us navigate this change as we begin camp and lead our team moving forward,” Kekalainen stated.
Vincent stated it was a troublesome day however that he was trying ahead to the chance.
“We have a great group of guys that have been working very hard to prepare for the season,” he stated. “My focus will be to work with our staff to help them get better every day and be ready for what we believe will be an exciting season.”
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