Mark Messier 'horrified' by Oilers' hire of coach Mike Babcock - ESPN

Former NHL star Mark Messier, who had a Hall of Fame career with the Edmonton Oilers, said he's «horrified» by the team's hiring of controversial coach Mike Babcock.

«I am absolutely shocked they hired him. I'm absolutely shocked from the stories that I heard from very good, reputable, character people about the way they were treated. It's been no secret,» said Messier, now an ESPN studio analyst, during a conference call Wednesday promoting the upcoming NHL season.

Babcock, 63, was hired by the Oilers to replace head coach Kris Knoblauch, who had led Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup finals before a first-round playoff exit last season. Babcock's legacy of success, which includes a Stanley Cup win with Detroit and two Olympic gold medals with Canada, has been tarnished by accusations of mental abuse by players during his NHL career.

Former Red Wings star Johan Franzen said the coach's «verbal attacks» led to an emotional breakdown. When Babcock was fired in Toronto in 2019 after five seasons, then-Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan said his coaching tactics were not «appropriate or acceptable.»

In 2023, Babcock was hired by Columbus, but he never coached a game for the Blue Jackets after violating players' privacy by asking to see their cellphone camera rolls. The NHL investigated Babcock's resignation in Columbus. In June, the league cleared the way for the Oilers to hire him.

«Our investigation has concluded that, even in a light least favorable to Mr. Babcock, there is no current basis to restrict his employment,» said the NHL in a statement. Babcock was hired by the Oilers in collaboration with the team's veteran stars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman, who all personally vetted Babcock.

«They've