Mighty Ducks Promote Babcock

Published on May 22, 2002 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Cincinnati RailRaiders News Release


CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Cincinnati Mighty Ducks head coach Mike Babcock was named head coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on Wednesday. Babcock replaces former head coach Bryan Murray, who was promoted to senior vice president and general manager May 2.

"Mike is an outstanding motivator and has done a great job with Cincinnati over the last two years," Murray said. "His enthusiastic approach will make him a great fit behind our bench.

Babcock guided the AHL Mighty Ducks to a 74-59-20-7 record, including a franchise-high 41 wins and 95 points in the 2001-2002 season. The team qualified for the playoffs in each of his two seasons.

"I am thrilled to get this opportunity as head coach, and stay within the Mighty Ducks organization," the 39-year-old Babcock said. "This is a great opportunity for me to work with an experienced, quality man like Bryan Murray, and help turn this club into a winner."

Prior to being named the second head coach of the AHL Mighty Ducks on July 11, 2000, Babcock enjoyed a successful six-year run as the head coach of the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. While with Spokane, he had a regular season record of 224-175-29 and was named WHL Coach of the Year in 1996 and 2000 after taking the team to the league finals both seasons.

Babcock becomes the sixth head coach for Anaheim, which joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1993.

Under Murray, Anaheim went 29-42-8-3 to finish 13th in the Western Conference and last in the Pacific Division this season. They missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season, falling 35 points shy of a playoff berth.

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American Hockey League Stories from May 22, 2002


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