Babcock reveals his plans after walking away from the University of Saskatchewan

"My wife and I have discussed this a ton, obviously. We always said we were going to retire at 60, and I'm 59. Basically, that's what it is," said Babcock during an appearance Friday on 650 CKOM in Saskatchewan.

Babcock last coached in the NHL during the 2019/20 season, but was fired by the Leafs after a 6-game losing streak in early November and replaced by Sheldon Keefe. Following his dismissal, reports surfaced about how he treated players, including asking Mitch Marner to make a list of the hardest and least hardest working players during his rookie season. Babcock would then share that list with the team, unannounced to Marner.

Still being paid north of $5.5M for this upcoming season by the Leafs, Babcock has enjoyed his return to Saskatchewan saying, "Since I got kicked off the treadmill in Toronto, (my wife and I) have really enjoyed life. It was a spectacular experience to come back to Saskatoon, obviously to be around my family."

Babcock amassed a record of 700-418-19-164 over parts of 17 seasons in the NHL, coaching only 3 teams - Anaheim, Detroit, and Toronto. Babcock is the only coach to have won the Stanley Cup, coach a team to an Olympic gold medal (2010/2014) , a World Cup (2016), a World Championship (2004), and a World Junior Championship (1997).