Mike Babcock brings intensity, attention to detail to U of S Huskies
It might not be the bright lights of the NHL, but Mike Babcock says that doesn’t matter.
“Players are trying hard, trying to get better, working hard. And we’ve got an unbelievable facility here … so that makes it a lot of fun and I’m enjoying it,” Babcock said prior to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies hockey practice Thursday.
Babcock, a Stanley Cup and Olympic gold medal-winning coach, was fired as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 20, 2019 after a rocky start to the season.
He is now leading the Huskies men’s hockey team. The season is shorter, the arena smaller, and Babcock says academic and on ice performance go hand in hand.
"Is there lots of things in their life different? For sure. These guys are full time students. And that’s what they are here for. Number one, they are a student.
“In saying that, when they are at the rink, their number one focus is being a good player. And so you try to help them do that, and that’s my job to help them with that.”
Intensity and attention to detail are a few words players use to describe playing for Babcock.
“When I came to the U of S, I didn’t expect to be coached by a guy with this pedigree. So to have him on our side, it’s great,” said forward Jared Dmytriw.
“He’s a great guy. You know, when we’re on the ice it is intense, we’re all business. But when were away from the rink and stuff we’re just guys and we like to hang out and relax and kind of decompress,” Dmytriw said.
“It’s hard to remember that he is who he is, because you come to the rink and you just want to work and you want to learn,” said defenceman Evan Fiala.
So far, Babcock says he enjoys spending time with family, with his son helping him on the bench.
There are challenges such as fundraising for the program. However, most importantly, he hopes to play a positive role as these athletes build a foundation for their future.
With only one more weekend of preseason left, what kind of team does Babcock say the Huskies have?
“Our back end is very, very steady, good size, moves the puck well. We seem to have good depth up front. And we’re still trying to figure it out in net right now and we’ll do that over this last weekend.”
The Huskies open the season Oct. 22 against the University of Regina Cougars.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.