Mike Babcock: 10 things to know

The new man is here to try and save the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mike Babcock, the former head coach of the Detroit Red Wings for the past 10 seasons, was officially announced as the new head coach of the Leafs during a press conference on Thursday.

Babcock said the Leafs are “Canada’s team and we need to put Canada back on the map,” at the conference.

The Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967, an all too familiar reality for Toronto fans. The team has also missed the playoffs nine of the past 10 seasons.

Here’s what you need to know about him:

1. He is the highest-paid coach in the NHL after signing an eight year, $50-million reported deal with the Leafs.
2. Babcock is the only coach to win a CIS University Cup (1994), World Junior Championship (1997), IIHF World Championship (2004), two Olympic Gold medals (2010 & 2014) and the Stanley Cup (2008).
3. He is the sixth highest active winning coach in the NHL with 527 wins.
4. Every team he has coached has played in the Stanley Cup final (Anaheim Ducks & Red Wings).
5. Babcock is the only coach to be a member of the “Triple Gold Club” for winning an Olympic Games gold, world championship and the Stanley cup.
6. He was born in Manitouwadge, Ontario.
7. There is a day named after him in his hometown of Saskatoon on July 17. He moved there in his teenage years.
8. He graduated from McGill University and was the co-captain of the Redmen hockey team. He became the second-highest scoring defenceman in the school’s history as reported by Sportsnet.
9. He and his wife, Maureen, will be empty nesters this year once his youngest child finishes high school.
10. They will be living in a downtown Toronto condo, he’s hoping his truck will fit in the city.