Edmonton Oilers hire Saskatoon’s Mike Babcock as head coach after NHL investigation

Just days after being cleared in an NHL-led investigation, Mike Babcock has been hired as head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.

Babcock was announced as the 19th head coach in Oilers history on Tuesday, making official a controversial hiring which had been weeks in the making for the team.

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He’ll take over behind the Edmonton bench from Imperial, Saskatchewan’s Kris Knoblauch, who was fired by the team last month after the Oilers’ first-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks in six games.

Babcock, 63, hasn’t coached in the NHL since 2023 when he was hired to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets. He abruptly resigned just two months into that role after reports claimed that he asked players to show him photos on their mobile devices.

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association were in the process of beginning an investigation into Babcock’s conduct in 2023 when he resigned, meaning the investigation was placed on hold.

Speaking with media on Tuesday, Babcock did not think he crossed a line during his time in Columbus and said he resigned with a poor fit with the Blue Jackets.

“It was very evident before the year started I hadn’t benched anybody, I hadn’t talked to anybody, I hadn’t sat anybody out,” Babcock said. “It was evident that we weren’t together as a staff, right from the get-go. My wife gave me a call and she said it was time to get out of there.”

At the request of the NHLPA, the investigation was reopened this month after rumours of Babcock’s employment with the Oilers began to surface.

On Thursday, the NHL completed its investigation, saying it found no reason to prevent the Oilers from hiring the 2008 Stanley Cup champion as head coach.

“The League has completed its review of Mike Babcock’s tenure in Columbus, and of certain alleged conduct associated therewith,” the NHL said in a news release.

“Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the League.”

Prior to his time with the Blue Jackets, Babcock coached more than 1,300 games with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs, winning two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada in 2010 and 2014.

Oilers general manger Stan Bowman said the team’s leadership group of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman met with Babcock and signed off on his hiring.

As well, Babcock believes he has buy-in from the Oilers veterans in being able to lead the team.

“Obviously, they’re comfortable or I wouldn’t be here,” Babcock said. “I thought that was important to have that happen, so a week in they can’t be suddenly uncomfortable. We went through that whole process to make sure we’re moving ahead here and I’m excited about the opportunity.”

“I was very clear with them. Unless you’re 100 per cent all in on Mike Babcock, I have no interest in being the coach.”

Babcock was raised in Saskatoon and spent one season as head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team in 2021-22, coaching the team to a 13-7 record.