Mike Babcock is entering his 18th season as an NHL head coach. Before his current stop in Columbus, he coached the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim to a Stanley Cup Final berth, the Detroit Red Wings to two Cup Final berths including a championship, and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
On Tuesday, he spoke with Common Man & T-Bone on 97.1 FM The Fan in Columbus about how he's evolved as a coach.
New #CBJ coach Mike Babcock joins us right now in studio. pic.twitter.com/1N45b4PvhU
— Common Man & T-Bone (@ManAndBone971) August 15, 2023
"Your way changed every year," Babcock said. "I've coached since '88. Is there a player in the National (Hockey) League that was born in '88? I don't even know."
Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock spoke about the teams roster during his appearance on @ManAndBone971. #CBJ https://t.co/pyhUjEJEOz
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) August 16, 2023
Babcock said that the world has changed, adding that he didn't receive his first cell phone until he was 37 years old.
"I mean it's a different world," Babcock said. "So things gotta be done differently. So what you've tried to do over the years is change each and every year and improve yourself and get better."
How is he going to be better for the upcoming season? Babcock said he broke down every single NHL playoff game this season with his son, who's now an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues after working as a development coach intern with the Ottawa Senators in 2022-23.
"When you're looking at every single category you're picking out who does it the best," Babcock said. "Not what does Mike Babcock do? Who does it the best in each area that leads to winning? And then you r-and-d, called rob-and-do. You just steal their stuff and you try to make it your own."
Heading into the 2023-24 season, the Blue Jackets are banking on Babcock being able to use his experience and ability to evolve to help guide the team to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
