'I've loved it': Michael Babcock back in hockey, enjoying ride alongside his dad

A little more than a year ago today, Michael Babcock was selling software. He was working remotely in Boston, logging onto his laptop five days a week at 6:45 a.m. and clocking in. Sending off emails, setting meetings and trying to move product.

After his own playing days were done — which comprised of stops with the Fargo Force (USHL) and Merrimack Warriors (NCAA), and ultimately a one-year professional stint in Amiens, France — that was the life Babcock pursued.

But today, he’s behind the bench as an assistant coach for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team.

The possibility came to be after his dad Mike received a call around in Dec. 2020 from former Huskie Athletics chief athletics officer Dave Hardy. Hardy floated the potential of the Saskatoon-raised Babcock to take over the men’s hockey program. And when Michael suggested to his dad he should do it, as a way for his career to come full circle, it presented him a chance to come along for the ride.

“There was an opportunity for me to do something I was passionate about,” Michael said. “As far as an apprenticeship goes, there's probably very few that you're getting that are better in terms of hockey knowledge.”

Said opportunity allowed him to get back into the game he loves, while also taking his Masters of Business Administration in the Edwards School of Business — a program he is fast-tracking and completing in one year instead of two or three.

What isn’t lost on the father-son tandem is how special the time they're spending together is. At 27-years-old, Michael is at an age where many young adults pursue careers away from home. His story is different. After his aforementioned playing career, this move brought him back around his dad on an everyday basis.

They're at the rink together nearly everyday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. While Michael would frequently see his dad at work, whether it be pre or post-game during his NHL days, this experience is different. 

“It's been interesting to just kind of see him in his element,” Michael said. “To see the work that he does behind the scenes. His intensity level and things of that nature, but also his compassion too and how much he wants to be a part of the guys lives and help them get to the next level and push them in the right direction — that part has been awesome.”

Mike’s coaching career has taken him all over North America. Red Deer, Moose Jaw, Lethbridge, Spokane, Cincinnati, Anaheim, Detroit, Toronto and now Saskatoon — his first stop in Saskatchewan since the 1992-93 season. And with that, comes a return close to he and his wife Maureen’s prairie roots.

“It's been unbelievable. The other thing is my sister lives two blocks away. We'll get together with them all the time. You get to see their kids and get to know them and the grandkids. My in-laws are in Lloydminster. There's so much family around. It’s been real special for us,” Mike said.

A homecoming for Mike helped bring a new home for Michael. He spent summers at the family cabin at Emma Lake until he was in college, but this is first-time as a permanent resident in Saskatoon.

“The best thing that's happened to me is the fact that I really immersed myself in Saskatoon,” Michael said. “I feel like there's countless great people and great things to do and just the whole community aspect — I love it and I think that part has been fantastic.”

In terms of great people it all starts within the program. After missing the day-to-day interactions in his working life — he now has that on a daily basis thanks to the game of hockey.

“That's usually what they say with your done — you miss the locker room,” Michael said. “I’ve enjoyed the banter. I've enjoyed really getting to know the kids and watching them grow as players and humans as well.”

Considering his dad is the only coach in the history of hockey to be in the Triple Gold Club — Stanley Cup, IIHF World Championship and Olympic Gold — it’s safe to say there were always murmurs suggesting Michael would one day be a coach himself. 

While he notes that it likely comes as little of a surprise to those who played with or coached him to see him behind the bench, his master plan was never to end up as a coach. Playing was always top of mind, but it’s safe to say he’s caught the bug. He’ll finish his MBA in August, then will be back on the bench next season for the Huskies.

“There was something that was missing from my day-to-day that I have now that I didn't have when I was a working professional. I’m glad I found that,” Michael said.

“I think the only things you can’t really settle on in your life are your partner, your profession and then anything you're really, really passionate about. If you do hit those three, then you should be in pretty good spots and everything else is going to fall in place.”

As for what’s to come going forward for Michael, he knows that whether it’s coaching or a role within the game, he wants to be involved in hockey going forward. And as for when this particular experience is all over and he sits down to reflect his time with the program, he’ll remember one part the most.

But what’s not lost on the pair of coaches is the opportunity at hand — to bring a University Cup back to the Bridge City.

“Our focus is to have the best run we can have here at the end and the longer we get to play the longer these guys get to coach and the better they become,” Mike said.

“We’re right in the middle of it. That's what I'm looking forward to the most. The fact that we got the right people and we can definitely do something with it — it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together and getting the job done,” Michael said.

The Huskies chase towards another W.G. Hardy Trophy continues next weekend when the Huskies play host to the Calgary Dinos in a best-of-three quarter-final series with Game 1 getting underway Friday, Feb. 25 at Merlis Belsher Place. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m.