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Mike BabcockHead coach of Detroit and the Canadian Olympic team
Date of Birth: 29.04.1963
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Coaching Career
- Junior Success:
- AHL and NHL Coaching:
- Detroit Red Wings:
- International Success
- Awards and Honors
- Personal Life
Early Life and Education
Mike Babcock was born on April 19, 1963, in Manitouwadge, Ontario. He played for the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League during the 1980-1981 season and spent a season with the Kelowna Wings in 1982-1983. He transferred from the University of Saskatchewan to McGill University in 1983, where he captained the hockey team. Upon graduating from McGill in 1986 with a physical education degree, Babcock pursued graduate studies in sports psychology.
Coaching Career
Early Years:Babcock began his coaching career in England as a player-coach for the Whitley Warriors in 1987. He returned to Canada in 1988 and became head hockey coach at Red Deer College in Alberta. In 1991, he moved to the Western Hockey League, taking the reins of the Moose Jaw Warriors for two years.
Junior Success:
In 1994, Babcock became the coach of the Spokane Chiefs. He led the team to two Western Division Coach of the Year awards in 1995-1996 and 1999-2000.
AHL and NHL Coaching:
Babcock coached the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks in the American Hockey League from 2000-2001 to 2001-2002, leading them to a 41-win, 95-point season. In 2002, he made the jump to the NHL, becoming the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He guided them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003, where they lost to the New Jersey Devils in seven games.
Detroit Red Wings:
After the NHL lockout in 2004-2005, Babcock was named head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. He led the team to the Stanley Cup Championship in 2008, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Babcock also recorded his 200th NHL career victory in 2008.
International Success
Babcock has also coached Canada internationally. He led the Canadian junior team to gold at the 1997 World Junior Championships in Geneva and the Canadian national team to gold at the 2004 IIHF World Championships in Prague and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Awards and Honors
Babcock has won numerous awards, including the Bobby Bell Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the Canada-Russia Challenge Cup in 1987 and the NHL's Jack Adams Award as the league's top coach in 2003-2004 and 2007-2008.
