Mike Babcock knows a thing or two about winning.
He’s won at every level: Canadian college and university, the WHL’s Memorial Cup, World Junior gold, the Stanley Cup and most recently, Olympic gold.
Babcock was at Edge School in Springbank as the keynote speaker for its seventh annual awards dinner gala, June 18, and took time to answer questions from the media beforehand.
“I’m a big believer in education myself, so this kind of opportunity for kids to be building foundations for dreams to come true – that’s what I’m all about,” he said. “I’m just excited to be here. And we’re going to have to find a way to get our Red Wings to practice out here and see their facility. It would be a good opportunity for us.”
Babcock has two connections to Edge. He coached Brent Devost, the school’s founder and president, at Red Deer College between 1988-90. He also attended McGill University with director of admissions Bruce Randall.
He said his speech to the students would involve elements of his extensive coaching career, which has taken him from Red Deer College, to the Moose Jaw Warriors, the University of Lethbridge, the Spokane Chiefs, the AHL’s Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, the Anaheim Ducks and the Detroit Red Wings in the past 20 years.
“I’m going to talk a little bit about my journey and how I got to where I am today. And then obviously as the head coach of Canada’s Olympic team this year – and it’s a real honour to be able to say that happened – I’ll share part of that experience,” Babcock said.
“Every step of the way you just keep on dreaming, and if you keep on having a passion for what you’re doing, you have a chance to be successful.”
Babcock’s Red Wings finished sixth overall during the NHL regular season, but lost to the San Jose Sharks in five games during the Western Conference semi-finals.
“We got 100 points for the 10th year in a row,” said Babcock, who has coached the Wings since 2005.
“The final four, to me, is the measure of success. And we didn’t play in the Stanley Cup final, as we had the two previous years, so those things are all disappointing. But I also think we’re going to be a much better team next year because of the fact we have time to train this summer.”
Babcock said he would enjoy some time off with his family following the NHL entry draft on June 25, and acknowledged he needed a break.
“It was a long year, but I look at Jonathan Toews – he had a long year – and he seemed to handle it pretty well.”
He also dodged questions about who Edmonton should take first overall, or whether Calgary should make drastic changes, such as trading captain Jarome Iginla, after a poor showing last season.
“The good thing about that is I don’t need to have an opinion,” he said with a laugh. “Jarome’s a team guy, he’s putting it on the line each and every night and he loves being a Flame. He’s a phenomenal player – I don’t know if you saw that little play he made to Crosby when he shot it in the net.”
