Toronto Maple Leafs announce that Mike Babcock has been fired
In news that everybody was kind of expecting, Mike Babcock has been relieved of his duties as the coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He will be replaced by Sheldon Keefe with immediate effect as the team try and resurrect their season which promised so much.
An official announcement on Twitter said: “Toronto Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan announced today that Mike Babcock has been relieved of his coaching duties and Sheldon Keefe has been named the Club’s new head coach. #LeafsForever”
The news comes hot on the heels of a sixth consecutive loss for the Maple Leafs in a season that started with high optimism.
Upon the announcement, Shanahan said: “Mike’s commitment and tireless work ethic has put our organization in a better place, and we are extremely grateful and appreciative of the foundation he has helped us build here.”
“At this time, we collectively felt that it was best to make a change to Sheldon Keefe,” Shanahan said. “Sheldon’s record with the Marlies in terms of development and on-ice success during his time in our organization has compelled us all to feel that he is the right person to take us to the next stage in our evolution.”
Keefe has been perfecting his craft with the Toronto Marlies over the past four years. He was largely seen as the man that was always going to take over from Babcock when he left, but fans and staff would have hoped that would have been on happier times.
He led the Marlies to four straight playoff finishes and also won the Calder Cup last year. Good luck to him and the players.
Peace,
Burke.
