Mitch Marner responds to queries around Mike Babcock's Blue Jackets controversy

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Sep 22, 2023 17:32 GMT

Mitch Marner, the talented right winger and alternate captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs, recently addressed questions surrounding the controversy involving Mike Babcock during his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In a candid exchange with a reporter, Marner was asked if Babcock had ever requested to see his phone or personal pictures while coaching the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The reporter asked:

"Mitch, we've all seen what happened, what's unfolded in Columbus the last week. I'm just wondering, when you were with Mike Babcock, did he ever ask to see your phone, or did he ever ask you to share personal pictures when he was with the Maple Leafs?"

Marner's response shed light on the situation:

"Yeah, I mean, I don't really want to comment on that too much. Whatever happened, happened. It's back in the day with me and myself and everyone here. So it's not about, he's not with our team anymore.

"Obviously. My focus isn't on any other team or any other person. My focus is on the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club and who we have around us as human beings."

Marner's measured response highlighted his commitment to focusing on the present and his team, emphasizing that the past is behind him, and his attention remains firmly on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mike Babcock and his controversy with other players, feat. Mitch Marner

Mitch Marner, known for his exceptional skills on the ice, was selected fourth overall by the Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. His contributions to the team have made him a beloved figure among fans and a key player in the Maple Leafs lineup.

Mike Babcock, the former NHL head coach with a history of controversy, has faced scrutiny for his coaching methods in the past. While in Toronto, Babcock stirred controversy by having Mitch Marner rank his teammates on their work ethic and then sharing that list with the entire team, causing locker room issues.

During his time as the Detroit Red Wings head coach, he made headlines for scratching Mike Modano in what would have been his 1,500th game. He also faced allegations of verbal and mental abuse from Johan Franzen, a player he coached.

Despite this history, the Columbus Blue Jackets hired Babcock. However, before the season even began, the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast revealed that Babcock had asked all his players to share their camera rolls with him, subsequently displaying those photos on his office TV. These claims prompted an investigation, and shortly afterward, Babcock announced his resignation.