Red Wings Ink Babcock to 4-Year Extension
The Detroit Red Wings have rewarded coach Mike Babcock with a four-year contract extension that will keep him on the bench through the 2014-15 season.
Babcock is into his sixth year coaching the Wings. He helped the team to a Stanley Cup in 2008 and came within one victory of repeating the next season before losing to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Babcock also piloted Team Canada to the Olympic gold medal in Vancouver last winter.
The 47 year-old Babcock was hired by Detroit after leading the Anaheim Ducks to the Cup finals in 2003. He became the first coach to post 50-win sesons in each of his first four years with an NHL team.
Says Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, "We started talking about it in June and July, went our separate ways, and we knew we would get this done. He (Babcock) loves it in Detroit." Babcock told the Associated Press, "We got a good thing going here and this contract means I won't have to move my youngest daughter in high school."
The Wings are off to a 2-0 start this season and entertain the Colorado Avalanche at Joe Louis Arena Tuesday night.
(Copyright 2010, WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
