local
Edmonton Oilers hire Mike Babcock after NHL clears veteran coach following an investigation
By Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock on Tuesday, clearing the way for the polarizing taskmaster to coach his first NHL game in more than six years after the NHL cleared him following an investigation into his aborted 2023 stint in Columbus. Babcock is now in charge of t...
Key takeaway Babcock is now in charge of trying to get Connor [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
For McAllen hockey fans, the hiring of Mike Babcock as coach of the Edmonton Oilers may seem like a distant development, but it has implications for the local sports landscape. As the Rio Grande Valley's own hockey enthusiasts follow the Oilers' progress, they may be reminded of the region's own minor league hockey teams and the coaches who have shaped their destinies. The Babcock hire also raises questions about the type of leadership that can propel a team to success, a topic of interest for local sports teams and organizations in McAllen. As the Oilers navigate the challenges of a new season under Babcock's guidance, McAllen residents may find themselves drawing parallels between the Oilers' experiences and those of their own favorite local teams, sparking conversations about the role of coaching in achieving victory.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — The Edmonton Oilers hired Mike Babcock on Tuesday, clearing the way for the polarizing taskmaster to coach his first NHL game in more than six years after the NHL cleared him following an investigation into his aborted 2023 stint in Columbus. Babcock is now in charge of t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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