{"id":80299,"date":"2020-07-15T09:30:02","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T13:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=80299"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:21:57","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-detroit-red-wings-hire-mike-babcock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/07\/15\/today-in-hockey-history-detroit-red-wings-hire-mike-babcock\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Detroit Red Wings Hire Mike Babcock"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the NHL\u2019s hiatus, we at Last Word on Hockey are going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for July 15th, featuring Mike Babcock<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n

Mike Babcock Becomes Red Wings Coach<\/h3>\n

2005:<\/strong> The Detroit Red Wings<\/a> hire Babcock to replace Dave Lewis<\/a><\/strong> as the team’s head coach. Lewis does well in the regular season, but the Wings struggle in the post-season. Despite wining the Central division in both Lewis’ seasons as Wings coach, they are eliminated in the first round both years.<\/p>\n

Babcock helps the Red Wings win the President’s Trophy in two of his first three seasons. Detroit wins its first Stanley Cup since 1997 in the 2008 post-season. He wins 458 games in 10 seasons in Detroit and the Red Wings qualify for the playoffs in all 10.<\/p>\n

Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n

1981:<\/strong> The Vancouver Canucks<\/a>\u00a0acquire the rights to and sign Czech international stars Ivan Hlinka<\/a><\/strong> and Jiri Bubla<\/a><\/strong>. The Winnipeg Jets<\/a> get Brent Ashton<\/a><\/strong> and a 1982 fourth-round pick as compensation. Ashton is then flipped to the Colorado Rockies for Lucien DeBlois<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

1994: Mike Keenan<\/strong> stuns the hockey world by resigning as head coach and general manager of the\u00a0New York Rangers<\/a> 31 days after winning the Stanley Cup. With four years still on his contract, Keenan cites ‘breach of contractual obligations’ as his reason for stepping down.<\/p>\n

1997:<\/strong> Colorado Avalanche<\/a> head coach Marc Crawford<\/a><\/strong> is named the bench boss for Team Canada at the 1998 Winter Olympics. NHLers can play at the Olympics for the first time in ’98. Canada suffers a shootout in the semi finals to eventual gold medal winner the Czech Republic at Nagano, Japan.<\/p>\n

1998:<\/strong> The Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> sign goaltender Curtis Joseph<\/a><\/strong> to a deal. He wins 35 games in his first season 36 in his second campaign. Toronto reaches the 100-point mark for the first time in franchise history thanks to Joseph. He wins 133 games in his four seasons with the Leafs before signing with the Red Wings. Joseph would return for one more stint with Toronto in 2008-09, but it was less memorable.<\/p>\n

2009:<\/strong> The NHL announces the Bridgestone Winter Classic for January 1, 2010. Bettman reveals the game will be between the Boston Bruins<\/a> and Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> at Fenway Park. The commissioner holds the press conference on top of the dugout at the ballpark.<\/p>\n

Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n

1932: Ed Litzenberger<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1951: Chuck Arnason; <\/a>Rick Kehoe<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1956: Barry Melrose<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1963: Steve Thomas<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1980: Jonathan Cheechoo<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1986: Tyler Kennedy<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1990: Zach Bogosian<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

1997: Anthony Cirelli<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n