Jason York Shares Eye-Opening Story as Oilers Consider Mike Babcock for Head Coach

The Edmonton Oilers are exploring the possibility of hiring Mike Babcock as their next head coach, a move that has ignited an NHL investigation and rekindled numerous player anecdotes about Babcock’s controversial past. Among those sharing their experiences is former Senators defenseman Jason York, who recently recounted a striking story from their time together in Anaheim.

York had cemented his place in the NHL by 2002, having played five seasons in Ottawa before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Under head coach Bryan Murray, he enjoyed a successful season, finishing as the Ducks’ second-leading scorer among defensemen. However, everything changed when Babcock took over as head coach, having previously coached the Ducks’ minor-league team in Cincinnati.

As he began his first NHL training camp, Babcock implemented a controversial strategy that involved isolating York and teammates Denny Lambert and German Titov from the rest of the squad, forcing them to skate alone without a coach or goalie. “He put us all in the room with the minor league guys,” York recalled on the Coming in Hot podcast. “As soon as I saw that, I went right into Babcock’s office. And this is what I don’t like. He lied to my face.”

Babcock assured York that he was simply trying to get the attention of the team and that he would be a top-four defenseman. “He said, ‘Yorky, don’t worry about it. The guys respect you. I need to get their attention,’” York explained. However, as the weeks dragged on, York found himself sidelined and eventually began the season in the AHL before being traded to Nashville, while Lambert and Titov never returned to the NHL.

The impact of Babcock’s actions lingered for York, who felt that his value as a player had been diminished due to the way he was treated. He recalls a call with his agent, Pat Morris, who relayed that Nashville’s assistant GM Ray Shero was left questioning what had gone wrong in Anaheim. “Pat was like, ‘Nashville’s calling, and they’re wondering what’s wrong with you? Did you do something? Did you get caught for curfew?’” York said. In the end, he was traded to the Predators for a minimal return, likening it to a scene from the movie Trading Places.

Years later, York confronted Babcock, who attempted to shift the blame onto Bryan Murray. “Then I sat down with Bryan about it, and Bryan said it was all Babs’ idea to do it. And I believe Bryan over him,” York stated. While he has moved past the bitterness, he emphasizes the importance of honesty in coaching. “You can do whatever you want, to some extent, especially back then as a coach. But just be honest. Don’t lie.”

York went on to play two more seasons in Nashville before the lockout, but his negative experience with Babcock is just one of many that have surfaced as the Oilers consider bringing him back into the fold. The 63-year-old coach’s past behavior raises concerns, especially given his lack of recent playoff success—a critical factor for a team looking to break through.

Babcock’s playoff record since 2012 includes multiple early exits, with his most recent coaching stint concluding in 2019. As the Oilers ponder the potential hiring, questions linger about whether Babcock’s experience and approach are a fit for the team’s aspirations.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.