By Jeff D'Andrea

Mike Babcock chats about Children’s Hospital and the Raiders

Oct 16, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Mike Babcock has been involved with Children’s Hospitals for much of his coaching career in the NHL.

After his Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 2008, he brought silver mug into the hospital there. As the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he and his team regularly visit the Children’s Hospitals there.

But now, Babcock gets to be a part of something that hits a little closer to home. He’s the campaign ambassador for the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. Next year, the hospital will be built in Babcock’s hometown of Saskatoon. 

“Saskatchewan’s my home. I had three young people at one time and now they’re 25, 23 and 21,” Babcock said. “But one day they’re going to have young people too and it’s so important that the province of Saskatchewan has a place so they can look after their own.

“To me, there’s nothing worse than having a kid being miles and miles away from home. I had a kid come see me, she’s three or four years old and from Newfoundland, but she was moved to Toronto and has been here for about a year,” Babcock said. “Obviously, there aren’t the facilities there… but it’s great for the province of Saskatchewan to be able to look after our own at home.”

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According to Brynn Boback-Lane, president and CEO of the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, the hospital is expected to open in 12 months.

It will be a provincial facility that will be able to not only be able to take in patients from other communities, but reach out to the rest of the province.

“While our community facilities continue to work with our patients, this particular hospital will be able to expand and give more opportunities to programming that will connect the province to pediatrics and normal care,” Boback-Lane said. “The dollars that are going into the children’s hospital campaign are really about connecting right back into the communities we all serve. To ensure that, regardless of postal code, children get the very best care they can. This children’s hospital is ready and able to take care of any needs, right from East to West, from South to North.”

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As far as the Prince Albert Raiders go, Babcock had the opportunity to know one of them in particular: Ian Scott.

The Leafs drafted Scott in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and have had him come to their last two camps. The Leafs’ AHL-affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, also called him up for their Calder Cup winning playoff run last year.

“Obviously he’s drafted by us. We’ve seen him a number of times coming to camp. Just like a lot of junior guys, he keeps getting better and giving himself an opportunity to get to the next level. For a goaltender, except for a very few, it’s a long grind,” Babcock said. “You finish junior and you spend three or four years in the American league. If you’re fortunate and you’ve done well, you’ll move on to the National Hockey League. We’re optimistic and hopeful that Ian’s got the work ethic, doesn’t take nights off, keep grinding and finds his way here one day.”

Scott and the rest of the Raiders take on the Spokane Chiefs on Saturday at the Art Hauser Centre. Babcock has connections to both teams. He has a house in nearby Emma Lake, and spent a ton of time behind the Chiefs’ bench as their head coach from 1994-2000.

Babcock’s focus is going to be in the Scotiabank Arena, as his Leafs take on the St. Louis Blues. But when asked on who he’d cheer for, Babcock said his allegiances are unapologetically with Spokane on Saturday.

“Oh, for sure the Chiefs,” Babcock said. “As much as I have a home in Emma Lake there, I’m still close with Spokane and the owner Bob Brett, he and I are still really close. Tim Speltz was the general manager when I was there, he just left and he’s been the head scout for the Leafs the last couple years. I know a lot of people in that area and fond of that area.”

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW