Brothers on the bench

Mario Prusina

Times Editor

 

For years, Mike Babcock and Parry Shockey spent a great amount of time together, riding the buses all along the Canadian University and the Western Hockey League circuits.

From the Lethbridge Pronghorns to the Spokane Chiefs, the coaching duo spent a lot of time developing their teaching styles, while cultivating a life-long friendship.

A dozen years have passed since they went their separate coaching ways. 

Babcock has climbed all the way up the coaching ranks to become one of the most successful bench bosses in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, while Shockey is back behind the bench of the UFA Bisons after taking time away from the game.

Despite being separated by 3,000 km, they make every attempt to see each other when possible. Their most recent encounter was during the Detroit Red Wings northwest road trip earlier this month.

“We obviously have a friendship that goes back a long ways,” said Babcock. “I got to know Shocks in the early 90’s. When I was going (to coach) the University of Lethbridge, they had a number of assistant coaches with the team, but I wanted to bring my own guy, so I phoned him … and he joined me there. 

“Later on we went to Spokane together – we spent some time down there – and then Shocks went on to be a really good head coach in the Western Hockey League. He got into pro scouting and obviously he is back coaching kids now.

“I’m proud of him – he’s a good man and he’s a straight-shooter.”

According to Babcock, what makes Shockey a successful coach are his teaching habits and his fountain of experience.

“When you’ve coached and gone away from it – you realize how much you love it when you get back. You really enjoy it that much more,” said Babcock. “It is probably very gratifying for him and the kids.”

Prior to their arrival in Lethbridge, the Pronghorns were the laughing stock of the league and their athletics program had considered cutting the men’s hockey team. In their first season behind the bench, the Pronghorns not only qualified for the postseason for the first time ever, but they claimed the league title.

To this date it is one of their most coveted championships.

“There were some special times with Mike Babcock – there is no question about that,” said Shockey. “I’m thrilled about his success and where he’s at. The best part is that our friendship is just as healthy as the day we went different (career paths).

“He’s passionate about the game and he’s probably one of the most prepared guys in the National Hockey League. His best players are his hardest working players and that’s because he wouldn’t expect anything else.”

One of those players is defenceman Brad Stuart, who won a Stanley Cup Championship in 2008 with Babcock and the Red Wings. Prior to joining the NHL, Stuart was coached by Shockey in the Western Hockey League.

“He was demanding – he definitely knew how to get his point across, but he was fair with his guys,” said Stuart of Shockey. “He was very intense at times, but he was  very good and he knew his stuff.

“It was fun most of the time,” laughed Stuart. “I can recall a few moments where it wasn’t fun. That’s with every coach – it comes with the territory.”