Messier "in shock" at Mike Babcock's hiring by Edmonton
Former Oilers captain Mark Messier says he is stunned by Mike Babcock's appointment as head coach, citing stories from respected people about how they were treated.
Mark Messier, the former Edmonton captain, has said he is "in shock" that Mike Babcock was hired as the club's head coach.
"I am simply in shock that he was hired. I am stunned, given the stories I have heard from very decent, respected and honourable people about how they were treated. This is no secret. If things go badly and the players run into difficulties, who do they turn to? If they go to management, they will face the same executives who hired him. Frankly, this whole situation horrifies me," Messier said.
The NHL Players' Association had asked the league to investigate allegations that Babcock invaded players' privacy during his time in Columbus. On 18 June the NHL cleared him to take the Edmonton job.
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