Ducks Enter Unknown Realm

After introducing relative unknown Mike Babcock as the Mighty Ducks’ sixth coach in 10 seasons Wednesday, General Manager Bryan Murray made a prediction.

“Three years from now people will be patting me on the back for making a great selection,” Murray said.

To prove Murray correct, Babcock--who arrives with no NHL experience as a coach or a player--will have to turn around a team that finished tied for 13th in the Western Conference last season, 25 points out of a playoff spot.

Babcock spent the last two seasons coaching the Ducks’ minor league team in Cincinnati and replaces Murray, who was promoted to general manager after Pierre Gauthier was fired at the end of last season.

So the Ducks’ fate is in the hands of a coach whose lone NHL moment was one exhibition game for the Vancouver Canucks in 1985. But Murray and Babcock downplayed that as a factor in his ability to coach in the NHL.

“When you talk about experience, I have coached for 16 years,” Babcock said. “I have made a living at it. But you can say all you want at a press conference. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.”

Murray pointed out that the Kings’ Andy Murray and Colorado’s Bob Hartley were without NHL head coaching experience before being hired.

“When I started looking around at coaches the selection was obvious to me,” Murray said. “I was in the same spot [as a coach] 21 years ago and I’m still sitting around. Mike knows the young players in the NHL because he has coached against them.”

Babcock will meet with assistant coaches Guy Charron and Tom Watt, who will be considered for his staff. Francois Allaire, the team’s goalie consultant, will remain.

The Ducks lost 21 one-goal games last season. But they scored two or fewer goals in 58 of 82 games.

“This is a strong conference,” Babcock said. “Dallas missed the playoffs and is going to spend a lot of money to get back in. We can’t afford to just keep pace.”

What the Ducks are willing to afford is the question.

Murray was to make $675,000 as coach next season, but Babcock probably will make half that.

Nor are Disney coffers expected to open wide for a top-line free agent, and Murray said none would consider a team that did not make the playoffs. Murray said he has a list of other free agents, “at least a couple of which we would like to bring in.”

The Ducks, who have made the playoffs only twice in nine seasons, hardly enjoy a “lovable loser” image at the box office. They played to 99% capacity at the Arrowhead Pond in 1997-98 but averaged an NHL-low 11,507 tickets sold last season.

Paul Pressler, who oversees the Ducks for Disney, made two moves that pleased fans, pushing out Tony Tavares, the team’s chairman and governor, and firing Gauthier. But Duck fans, who have seen five coaches and three general managers in nine seasons, are not likely to jump to buy tickets with the announcement of Babcock as coach.

Babcock, 39, has spent the last 10 seasons as a head coach in the minor leagues, with Cincinnati, Spokane and Moose Jaw.

He also coached the Canadian World Junior team to the gold medal in 1997.

Babcock has a 284-250-35 record as a minor league coach.

“I got to know Mike during training camp the last two seasons and I think he’s a terrific person,” team captain Paul Kariya said. “He’s an enthusiastic, upbeat coach. A head coach in the NHL has to be able to motivate his players. I think we needed a fresh face and I think we’re on the right track.”

Murray said he considered 19 candidates and narrowed his choices to three. After meeting with Babcock last week, Murray said he canceled the other two interviews.

“I got to know Bryan during training camp and we really hit it off,” Babcock said. “When you take a job like this, it has to be the right fit. You don’t get many chances to kick the can, so you have to do it right.”

Said Murray: “I think we’re heading in a new direction.”

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*--* Mighty Duck Coaches Mike Babcock, 39, becomes the sixth Mighty Duck coach. The Ducks’ only postseason appearances came in 1997 and 1999: Coach Years Record Win % Ron Wilson 1993-97 120-145-31 458 Pierre Page 1997-98 26-43-13 396 Craig Hartsburg 1998-01 80-88-29 480 Guy Charron 2001 14-28-7 357 Bryan Murray 2001-02 29-42-8-3 426 Babcock file: Coached Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (1995-2000). WHL Coach of the Year in 1996, 2000.... Coached gold medal-winning Canadian World Junior Team in 1997.... Spent last two seasons as head coach of the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, Anaheim’s primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League. Led club to 74-59-20-7 record, including franchise-best 41 wins and 95 points (41-26-9-4) in 2000-2001. Team qualified for the Calder Cup playoffs each season

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