TORONTO — Not even 12 hours after Mike Babcock hoisted the World Cup with Team Canada, he had already turned the page back to his day job.

Dropping in on Toronto Maple Leafs training camp on Friday morning at MasterCard Centre, Babcock only observed, for likely the last day this season.

“He’s not here [on the ice] today, so we got one more day,” forward Tyler Bozak said. “I was kind of cheering for Europe I think just to get one more…no, I’m kidding, we’re excited to have him back. The guys did a really good job without him. It’ll be a little different with him here for sure.”

Of the nine Maple Leafs personnel involved in the World Cup, Babcock’s tenure away had the potential to be the most disruptive. His players say that wasn't the case – even without his physical presence, expectations have been clear.

“I think we’ve done a very good job of policing ourselves in camp so far,” goaltender Garret Sparks said. “I think that guys have brought a competition level every day that they would have brought if he was standing right behind them. He’s doing some important things and I’m sure he’ll rejoin us at his earliest convenience, but until then we’re pretty focused over here.”

Assistant coach Jim Hiller has taken the reins at practice and during preseason games through the first nine days of camp. When the team travels to Buffalo Friday night for its third exhibition tilt, Hiller will be behind the bench while Babcock watches from a suite.

“I would take a break if I was him, [but] I’m not surprised to see him at all,” Hiller said. “He got his job done – the job he needed to get done – but of course this is priority number one, so I’m not surprised to see him down here at all.”

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While still drenched in celebratory champagne, Babcock told reporters on Thursday night he had to get back to work at his “real job.” In a moment of candour, he declared the World Cup an omen for the city.

“This is just a sign of what’s going to happen here in Toronto, just so you know,” he said. “This is a special thing to do for Canada, and now we’ve got to do it in Toronto.”

That means re-joining his players for another training camp grind, likely starting with Saturday’s on-ice activities. His coaching staff now feels better prepared than ever to help.

“For DJ [Smith] and Steve [Briere] and Sheldon [Keefe], we’ve really enjoyed [this],” Hiller said. “I think all of us have become better coaches – I know it’s only been a week – but it’s going to do nothing but benefit Mike when he comes back and hopefully we can support him better than we have in the past.”