The Columbus Blue Jackets, like the entire NHL community, are on edge as they await the resolution of the Mike Babcock “family photos” controversy that emerged this week. The unsettling allegations center on Babcock, the 60-year-old veteran coach, allegedly invading players’ privacy by requesting to view photos stored on their smartphones.
The NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) met with NHL officials on Friday in New York to discuss this matter. According to the NHLPA, an ongoing review process is in motion. In a statement released on Friday, the NHLPA stated, “During this meeting, we provided the NHL with an update on our ongoing review. We do not have any further comment at this time.”
As of now, the NHL itself has not issued an official statement regarding the situation, leaving the Columbus Blue Jackets and the hockey world in suspense just days before the opening of training camp.
John Davidson, the Blue Jackets’ President of Hockey Operations, spoke briefly, saying, “We’ve had discussions. We’re trying to digest things and go from there. There’s nothing further to say.”
The explosive allegations initially surfaced from Paul Bissonnette, a former NHL player and co-host of the “Spittin Chiclets Podcast.” Bissonnette cited an anonymous NHL player’s text message claiming that Babcock had gone through the photos on Blue Jackets players’ phones during individual meetings. This revelation sent shockwaves throughout the league.
Babcock’s hiring on July 1 had already raised concerns due to previous allegations of “bullying” behavior during his coaching tenures with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings. He mentioned that he had gained insights into personal interactions during his four-year hiatus from the NHL, especially during his one-season coaching stint at the University of Saskatchewan.
Hours after the podcast episode’s release, the Blue Jackets released statements from Mike Babcock and team captain Boone Jenner. These statements aimed to refute the allegations and provide context for the coach’s request to view players’ family photos or other significant images on their phones. The podcast had specifically mentioned Boone Jenner’s meeting with Babcock.
In response to the accusations, Jenner and Babcock contacted various media outlets to explain their side of the story and challenge the allegations. Paul Bissonnette and co-host Ryan Whitney, both former NHL players, stood by their accounts, insisting they had heard similar stories from numerous NHL players.
Notably, Boone Jenner was not alone in asserting that the allegations were exaggerated. Johnny Gaudreau and Zach Werenski, fellow Blue Jackets players, echoed Jenner’s sentiments.
Mike Babcock was observed watching the Blue Jackets’ opening game at the Traverse City NHL Prospects Tournament, which the team won 7-3. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen and other top officials from the organization were also present.
The Blue Jackets are scheduled to undergo medical evaluations on Wednesday and begin their training camp on Thursday in Columbus. However, the resolution of the Babcock situation remains uncertain, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the team’s preparations for the upcoming season.
As the hockey world eagerly awaits the findings and recommendations from the NHL and NHLPA inquiries, the Columbus Blue Jackets and their fans are left in suspense, hoping for clarity before the season kicks off.
