Mike Babcock resigned as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.
Associate coach Pascal Vincent was named as his replacement and signed a two-year contract through the 2024-25 season.
The coaching change comes after the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast reported Tuesday that Babcock, who had been hired July 1, asked players to share personal photos on their private mobile devices. The situation was investigated by the NHL Players’ Association earlier in the week before Babcock announced his resignation.
“Upon reflection, it has become clear that continuing as head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets was going to be too much of a distraction,” said Babcock, 60. “While I’m disappointed to not have had the opportunity to continue the work we’ve begun, I know it’s in the best interest of the organization for me to step away at this time. I wish everyone in the organization well in the upcoming season.”
Babcock is 12th in NHL history with 700 wins and 16th with 1,301 games in 17 seasons for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with the Red Wings in 2008 and reached the Stanley Cup Final with the Mighty Ducks in 2003 and Red Wings in 2009. He also coached Canada to gold medals at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2014 Sochi Olympics, and to victory at the World Cup of Hockey 2016.
Prior to being hired by Columbus, Babcock had been out of the NHL since being fired by the Maple Leafs on Nov. 20, 2019. He worked as a volunteer adviser at the University of Vermont in 2020-21 and coached at the University of Saskatchewan in 2021-22.
“This was a difficult decision on everyone’s part, but one we felt necessary to ensure our focus remains on the players and the team’s upcoming season,” Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “On behalf of the entire Blue Jackets organization, we want to thank Mike for his hard work and the professionalism he has shown in working together on a plan to step down.”
NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh 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 move forward with a new head coach is the appropriate course of action.”
Vincent joined the Blue Jackets as associate coach in 2021. He spent the previous 10 seasons as a member of the Winnipeg Jets organization, including five as coach of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose from 2016-21.
“Pascal Vincent is an outstanding coach,” Kekalainen said. “He knows our players and organization and is respected by everyone here. He was a strong candidate for our head coaching position several months ago and is in the best position to help us navigate this change as we begin camp and lead our team moving forward.”
The Blue Jackets open training camp next week. Their first regular-season game is Oct. 12 against the Philadelphia Flyers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.
“This is a difficult day, but I am looking forward to this opportunity and appreciate the organization’s confidence in me to lead this team,” Vincent said. “We have a great group of guys that have been working very hard to prepare for the season. My focus will be to work with our staff to help them get better every day and be ready for what we believe will be an exciting season.”
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