In the NHL there is a resignation of the coach, although the season has not yet started. Babcock fired over scandal
September 18, 2023, 09:15 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
A decision that was clearly not part of Columbus’s plans.
The NHL season has not yet started, but the first resignation has already occurred. Mike Babcock has been fired as head coach of Columbus. The specialist left the club after it became known that he asked hockey players to show personal photographs.
For the first time, relevant information was made public by the hosts of the famous American podcast Spittin’ Chiclets. Babcock admitted this was his way of getting to know the players better.
Other details of the unusual request:
Scandal in the NHL. The most titled coach asked the players for their personal photos
Columbus’s main star, Johnny Gaudreau, said he saw nothing seditious in the coach’s methods: “It bothered me a little that he was so inflated. It’s a shame to see everything going in the wrong direction. It was his way of getting to know me better and I got to know him better. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. I showed him pictures of my family. If he had a problem, he would say, “I don’t think I like it.” But I didn’t have any problems with that.”
Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner also defended his boss: “I think it was a great first meeting and a good way to start building a relationship. It was very disappointing that it was exaggerated.” However, the hockey players’ union and the NHL opened an investigation into the incident. However, formally everything was decided at the club level.
“It was a difficult decision for all parties, but we felt it was necessary to focus on our players and our team heading into the season,” Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen said. “On behalf of the entire organization, we would like to thank Mike for the hard work and professionalism he has shown in working together to plan his departure from the club.”
What Babcock could give Columbus:
A great coach in a perennial loser in the NHL. What awaits the union between Babcock and Columbus?
“After reflection, I realized that continuing as head coach of Columbus would be too distracting,” and this is a statement from Babcock himself. “I am disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to continue the work I started, but I understand that it is best for the Blue Jackets organization to leave now.”
Babcock was named Columbus’ head coach just in July. Pascal Vincent was named his successor. He has been an assistant on the Blue Jackets staff since last summer.
This is not the first time Babcock has been involved in a major scandal. Earlier in Toronto he asked forward Mitch Marner to rank his teammates and then, contrary to what was agreed, announced it to the team. Additionally, defenseman Chris Chelios claimed that in Detroit Babcock bullied Johan Franzen, causing the Swede to suffer a “mental breakdown.”
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Former NHL player: Babcock is not right in the head, the photo situation is abnormal
Another former Red Wings defenseman, Mike Commodore, welcomed the coach’s resignation. “People! Let me say it loud and clear… Hello Mike Babcock, you arrogant piece of shit… You’ve been a predator your entire career… Today you finally get what you deserve… Pack your things and leave.” At home forever… It’s official: you are toxic,” the Commodore wrote on his social networks.
At the same time, Babcock is one of the most decorated coaches in hockey history. Among the main ones, he is the only representative of the “Triple Gold Club”. Mike won the Olympic Games twice with the Canadian team, won the World Championship and won the Stanley Cup.
