The Edmonton Oilers officially announced on Tuesday that Mike Babcock has been named the 19th head coach in franchise history, bringing one of the most accomplished resumes in hockey to Edmonton.
Babcock, 63, owns a remarkable 700-418-183 regular-season record across 17 NHL seasons and ranks among the winningest coaches in league history. His playoff success is equally impressive, posting a 90-74 record over 164 postseason games.
Born in Manitouwadge, Ontario, and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Babcock has achieved success at every level of the sport. He remains the only coach in hockey history to win a Stanley Cup, Olympic gold medals, an IIHF World Championship, and a World Cup of Hockey title.
His NHL coaching journey began with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2002, where he guided the club to the Stanley Cup Final in 2003. Babcock then spent a decade with the Detroit Red Wings, winning the Stanley Cup in 2008 while leading Detroit to four straight Central Division titles and eight 100-point seasons.
He later coached the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015 to 2019, compiling a 173-133-45 record.
The Oilers are hoping Babcock’s demanding style and championship pedigree can help guide Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the roster back into Stanley Cup contention as Edmonton enters a crucial period in its pursuit of a championship.
The Edmonton Oilers also announced today that D.J. Smith has been named Associate Coach under Mike Babcock.
Smith, 49, most recently served as interim head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, assembling an 11-6-6 record from March 1st through the end of the 2025-26 regular season. He had originally joined the club as an assistant in February of 2024.
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