In college, Mike played hockey for McGill University from 1983-87 before graduating with a degree in physical education. In 146 career games, he tallied a total of 107 points, was a 2-time all-star, served as team captain, and won the Bobby Bell trophy as team MVP. He went on to play for the Whitley Warriors of the British Hockey League.
Mike began his coaching career when he was hired by Red Deer College in Alberta, where he spent 3 seasons. He then spent the majority of the next 9 years as a head coach in the WHL for the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Spokane Chiefs, being named West Division Coach of the Year twice with the Chiefs. His impressive resume allowed him to then coach the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL. In both seasons that he was there, the team qualified for the playoffs.
Stanley Cup Champion
In 2002, the NHL’s Mighty Ducks of Anaheim hired Babcock as head coach. Immediately, Babcock made an impact, leading his team to the Stanley Cup Finals in his first season. However, the Ducks fell just short, losing to the New Jersey Devils in Game 7. After a disappointing second season, he declined to return to the Ducks, and joined the Detroit Red Wings as their new head coach. While in Detroit, he led the Red Wings to the playoffs in each of his 10 seasons there, including 2 trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and a Stanley Cup Championship in 2007-08.
Continued Success
After failing to come to terms with the Red Wings following the 2015 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Mike to a $50 million contract, making him the highest-paid coach in NHL history. Following 5 seasons and 3 playoff appearances with the Leafs, the two parted ways. Babcock briefly worked with his son at the University of Saskatchewan as volunteer head coach, before retiring from coaching to spend time with his family. He is 11th in all-time wins for an NHL coach.
Babcock’s coaching experience has given him plenty of insight on the ideas of vision, teamwork, destiny, and effort. He often speaks about how he instills his own virtues into the minds of his players, including discipline, heart, strength of will, and sportsmanship, and how those virtues should be used by everyone. His natural leadership and in-depth knowledge have made him one of the most credible and inspirational coaches of all time.
