The new coach of the Maple Leafs has promised fans a period of hard work, pain and fun as he labours to re-build the team. He said he was thrilled and excited for the journey ahead. There was almost a snicker — not quite but almost — when the first question to Mike Babcock was “Why the Maple Leafs.” Every mind was thinking that $50 million dollars is not chicken feed. But the new coach went on to talk sincerely about an admiration for the management and the franchise, and for Toronto itself. It appears he will enjoy living here, as most people might. He called the City fantastic and suggested that he and his “married partner” of many years would find it a great home. In the end, Babcock referenced his “straightforward and honest approach” to all his dealings and the long-term commitments he has made in the past in Spokane and Detroit. He arrived in Toronto Thursday morning aboard the private jet of his new employer and was sped downtown to Air Canada Centre for the 11 a.m. news conference.
