Home / Sports / NHL Clears Babcock After Columbus Tenure Review
NHL Clears Babcock After Columbus Tenure Review
23 Jun
Summary
- League investigation found no current basis to restrict Babcock's employment.
- Babcock has 700 NHL wins, coached Canada to two Olympic golds.
- Columbus president acknowledged hiring Babcock was a mistake.
The National Hockey League announced on June 18, 2026, that its investigation into Mike Babcock's time with the Columbus Blue Jackets has concluded. The league stated there is "no current basis to restrict his employment in the League," clearing him for future coaching roles.
Babcock, who holds 700 wins, ranking 12th in NHL history, has a decorated resume including coaching Canada to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Olympics. He previously coached the Detroit Red Wings to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and reached the finals with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Following Babcock's resignation from Columbus, team president John Davidson admitted the decision to hire him was a mistake. Davidson expressed disappointment, stating the organization got it wrong and would learn from the experience.
Babcock's most recent coaching stint before Columbus was a volunteer advisor role at the University of Vermont in 2020-21 and coaching the University of Saskatchewan in 2021-22. He becomes the 19th coach in Oilers history, with Connor McDavid entering the first season of a two-year contract. The Oilers reached the Cup Final in 2024 and 2025.
