Mike Babcock coached three teams to the Stanley Cup Final, including the 2007-08 champion Detroit Red Wings. File Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo
June 23 (UPI) -- The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock as their new coach, replacing fired former coach Kris Knoblauch, the NHL franchise announced Tuesday.
Babcock's hiring occurred just days after the NHL announced he was cleared to return to coaching. The league launched an investigation into Babcock earlier this month related to his 2023 resignation from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His departure from Columbus before the preseason followed criticism he received for requesting to look at personal photos from players' phones. The NHL Players' Association requested the investigation.
Babcock, 63, who never coached a game for the Blue Jackets, totaled 700 wins, 418 losses, 19 ties and 164 overtime losses over 17 seasons as an NHL coach. He led the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 173-133-45 mark from 2015-16 to 2019-20. He also spent time with the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks.
