Detroit Red Wings reach agreement with head coach Mike Babcock
The Detroit Red Wings announced on Monday that they have come to terms on a contract extension for head coach Mike Babcock. The 47-year-old Babcock, considered to be one of the best coaches
in hockey, signed on for four more years in Detroit. Babcock’s contract was set to expire after the 2010-11 season, but Detroit wanted to make sure they had Babcock signed well before then.
Babcock, who coached the Red Wings to a Stanley Cup victory in 2008, felt that there was no better choice then to come back both for him and his family.
"I'm a big believer that the grass isn't always greener, you just need to use fertilizer and water where you're at," 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."
"I didn't really want to go, but I would've been in a position to get a long-term deal somewhere and still let my youngest daughter be in the same place through high school. Now, she can
do that here. Me and my wife are thrilled about that."
Babcock was also the head coach for Team Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where they won the gold medal and he also brought the Red Wings back to the 2009 Stanley Cup final where they
lost to Pittsburgh in the seventh and deciding game.
"His stock as a head coach is probably as high as anybody's and he could've gone on the open market next summer," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "We started talking about
it in June and July, went our separate ways, and we knew this would get done. He loves it in Detroit."
"Mike's family has made roots here with their kids in school and it has become their home like it has for my family and the Nills," Holland said. "He knows we have committed ownership
and he believes in our players, scouts, and front office so this made sense for him and for us."
Hired in 2005 by the team, Babcock is entering his sixth season as Detroit’s head coach and has the Wings off to a 2-0 start early this season.
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