Players had to show photos: Cell phone scandal costs NHL coaching legend his job

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Mike Babcock’s (60) reputation had long been tarnished since it emerged a few years ago that the coaching legend had managed his teams using highly questionable methods. But this summer, three and a half years after his release from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Canadian got another chance in the NHL when the Columbus Blue Jacktes signed him.

However, there was no appearance on the board for the team from the capital of the state of Ohio. Two weeks before the start of the NHL season, Babcock announced his retirement.

What happened? The “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast, run by former players Paul Bissonnette and Ryan Whitney, alleged that Babcock showed him private photos from their cell phones during meetings with players. He projected this onto the office wall.

Stars rushed to Babcock’s aid

Babcock and Captain Boone Jenner, 30, tried to calm things down in a joint statement, saying events had not been accurately depicted. Jenner said Babcock only spoke to him about his family, his heritage, his upcoming wedding and hockey and then asked if he had any photos of his family. “I enjoyed showing him some.” Babcock then presented him with some family photos.

While veterans like Jenner or star Johnny Gaudreau (30, “it was a cool and special way to get to know his players”) said they had no problem with Babcock’s photo requests, other players apparently felt it was a violation of their privacy.

The league and players’ union stepped in to get to the bottom of the facts before the Blue Jackets announced Sunday that Babcock would resign, effective immediately.

“It would have been too much of a distraction.”

“I realized it would be too much of a distraction to continue being head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets,” Babcock said. While he is disappointed that he will not have the opportunity to continue the work he started, he knows “it is in the best interest of the organization for me to step away at this time.”

Union boss Marty Walsh, 56, said: “Our players deserve to be treated with respect in the workplace. Unfortunately, that was not the case in Columbus. The club’s decision to continue with a new head coach is the right path.”

In this case, Babcock may not have acted maliciously, but he may have acted extremely naively. After all, he was not a blank slate and was under observation from day one. The coach, who led the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup victory in 2008 and coached Canada to Olympic gold in 2010 and 2014 and world champions in 2004, was accused of leading his teams through psychological terror, intimidation and humiliation. In Toronto he had the then young star Mitch Manner (26) draw up a ranking in which he ranked his teammates based on their work ethic.

Babcock’s successor will be former assistant coach Pascal Vincent (51).

Source : Blick