Babcock faces former Maple Leafs as Toronto visits Edmonton
Toronto coach Jim Hiller and defenceman Morgan Rielly reflected on their time with Babcock before Saturday’s game.
Mike Babcock will coach against his former Toronto Maple Leafs team Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Edmonton Oilers host Toronto at Rogers Place. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET.
The meeting also puts Babcock opposite Jim Hiller, who previously worked as his assistant in Toronto. Speaking before the Maple Leafs travelled west Friday, Hiller credited Babcock with giving him an opportunity to move from junior hockey into the NHL, Sportsnet reported.
Toronto defenceman Morgan Rielly told Sportsnet he was initially surprised by Babcock’s move to Edmonton. Rielly said Oilers players he knew had wanted Babcock to join them and described his former coach as committed to improving players and the team.
Babcock spoke positively about his Toronto tenure despite its first-round playoff exits. The Oilers enter Saturday at 8-1-1, while the Maple Leafs are 6-4-2.
