NHL clears Edmonton Oilers to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after investigation
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
- Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
*Your next Free Press subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
NEW YORK – The Edmonton Oilers have been given clearance by the NHL to hire Mike Babcock as head coach after the league concluded an investigation into his conduct while with Columbus in 2023.
The NHL Players’ Association requested the investigation after word emerged that the Oilers were interested in hiring the Stanley Cup-winning bench boss.
“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 statement Thursday. “Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favourable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment in the league.”
The NHLPA said Thursday in a response to the NHL’s investigation that it found Babcock’s conduct “very concerning.”
“Moving forward, we expect that Mr. Babcock will uphold the high standards required of NHL head coaches,” the union statement read.
Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets less than three months after taking the job. At the time, his requests for personal photos from players, which he said were part of an effort to get to know them, drew criticism as an invasion of privacy.
The union reviewed the situation, but the NHL dropped its planned investigation at that time when Babcock stepped down.
The 63-year-old previously coached parts of 16 seasons with Anaheim, Detroit and Toronto, leading the Red Wings to a Cup victory in 2007-08.
Internationally, Babcock led Canada to gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the 1997 world junior hockey championship and the 2004 world hockey championship.
The Oilers are looking for a coach to replace Kris Knoblauch, who helped an Edmonton roster led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to the Cup final in 2024 and 2025 before he was fired following a first-round loss to Anaheim this spring.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2026.