Mike Babcock has been appointed as the new head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. The 63-year-old Canadian takes over a team featuring stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He replaces Kris Knoblauch who was dismissed in May.
The Oilers confirmed the hiring of Babcock as the club's 19th head coach in its history. He returns to the NHL bench after last coaching in Toronto and has previously led teams in Anaheim and Detroit.
Babcock guided the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup in 2008. He also secured Olympic gold with Canada in 2010 and 2014. The move follows a league review of his brief stint with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023.
Knoblauch had led Edmonton to consecutive Stanley Cup finals in 2024 and 2025 but was let go after an early playoff exit this season. Babcock brings 700 career NHL wins as the team continues its pursuit of a championship.
