The Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs have hired Michael Babcock, the son of long-time NHL head coach Mike Babcock, as the sixth and youngest head coach in franchise history, the team announced on Friday.
Babcock, 31, takes over from former coach Jay McKee, who left the team to become the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Hammers ahead of their inaugural season.
Under McKee, the Bulldogs had the best record in the OHL last season, going 48-10-10. They were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Final after the Barrie Colts rallied from a 3-1 series deficit to win the series in seven games.
“From the moment we began this search, our focus was finding the right leader to guide our players and our organization into the future,” Bulldogs general manager Spencer Hyman said in a statement. “Mike is a relentless competitor, an elite communicator, a gifted teacher, and most importantly, a tremendous human being. His passion for the game is infectious, his commitment to player development is unwavering, and his ability to connect with people is special.
“Mike embodies everything we believe a Bulldog should be. He will challenge our players, he will push our players, and most importantly he will care for our players. He will help them become the best versions of themselves both on and off the ice.”
Babcock was most recently an assistant coach with the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, the affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, under head coach Matt McIlvane. He helped the Gulls to a 33-27-12 record to claim the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division before losing in the first round.
Prior to joining San Diego, Babcock spent time as a skills coach with the St. Louis Blues and as an assistant development coach with the Ottawa Senators. His first experience behind the bench came in 2021-22 as an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan under his father.
The elder Babcock had an illustrious career behind the bench, going 700-418-164 with 19 ties in his 17-year NHL career split between the Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
He is the only coach who is a member of the Triple Gold Club, winning a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008, two Olympic gold medals with Canada in 2010 and 2014, and a World Hockey Championship in 2004.
He took the Columbus Blue Jackets’ head coaching job in 2023 but resigned before the season started after a report from the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast indicated he had asked players to share personal photos from their mobile devices.
