Best.

Babcock has kept our beloved Wings atop their highly competitive league at a time when his owner — while still financially resourceful — has been unable to buy up talent as he once did; indeed he is restricted by league law. The NHL wouldn’t mind having a system whereby each team goes .500 every season, and everyone has an equal shot at the Stanley Cup come spring. It has been Babcock’s task, and his accomplishment, to defy the sort of communism that wishes to woo the whimsical fans of Los Angeles at the expense of us hockey lifers here in Detroit.

I’ll let my astounding and confounding statement of Friday to my wife stand: Mike Babcock, who has employed basic teaching and motivating methods to reach and influence modern-day athletes, with really impressive success, is the best coach I’ve seen operate in this town. Long may he reign.

Read the rest at Detroit Athletic Co.

Babcock's players appreciate his work ethic and understanding of the game.

"Just look at his track record and you know he understands the game and how it should be played in order to be successful," Detroit defenceman Brad Stuart said. "He is a straightforward guy and he will tell you exactly what he wants from you."

This is a trait he learned from his father. Babcock recalled how years ago he asked his Dad about life as a man and about being a boss yet remaining a friend to his workers. He wondered how his father — a hard-rock mine pit boss — could become so angry with his miners yet remain popular with them.

"Dad, how can you get people to work so hard?" the son queried.

"You can't ask people to work hard if you don't work hard yourself," Babcock Sr. replied.

Although just a boy at the time, the sentiment stuck with Babcock. The young Babcock had no idea on this day he would later become a hockey coach — a boss of boys in junior and later men in the pros.

"Everything I believe in comes from this philosophy," Babcock said. "I want to be successful. I always say to the guys. 'I want us to work hard and be able to be proud of that work ethic.' But if you ask for that, you better practice it."

Gentlemen, remove your hats and read the rest at CBC Sports.

I posted this last summer, but it's worth another look ...