The players’ association is investigating the actions of Mike Babcock.
Mike Babcock’s time in Columbus didn’t get off to a rosy start. AOP / USA TODAY SPORTS
Coaching the NHL club Columbus Blue Jackets Mike Babcock has had to publicly defend his actions. The konkar coach, who started his job in the summer, had asked to see private photos from the players’ cell phones as a way of getting to know each other.
Host of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast Paul Bissonnette had heard about it from the team captain From Boone Jenner and told that the player was upset about the matter, when the pictures had to be presented publicly to others in the team as well.
Soon after, Jenner and Babcock denied that the situation had been distressing for the other in a press release published by the club.
– I was happy to show him the pictures. He also showed pictures of his own family. I think it was a good first meeting. “I’m disappointed that it’s been taken out of context like this,” Jenner said.
The uproar was believed to have subsided with this announcement. That didn’t happen. The Athletic reports that the leadership of the NHL players union NHLPA has traveled to Columbus to investigate the matter further. The NHLPA acknowledges to The Athletic that an investigation is underway, but won’t elaborate.
Bissonnette has defended what he said in X (formerly Twitter), although Jenner says in the press release that the photos were shown in a friendly atmosphere.
Athletic is considering the possibility that another Columbus player has told other things to the players’ association. The NHLPA may also investigate whether the story of Babcock’s inappropriate behavior was spread by an outsider, perhaps a former influencer at the club. Babcock started with the Blue Jackets in July and didn’t get the best possible reception from the team’s fans.
Babcock’s trophy cabinet includes two Olympic championships, World Cup gold and the Stanley Cup. His ability to coach in today’s NHL has been questioned, as he last coached in the league four years ago. Babcock coached the Toronto Maple Leafs in his fifth year until he was fired in November 2019.