The NHL Players’ Association says the general manager and his assistant are in Columbus, Ohio, to investigate reports that Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock violated the private lives of its players.
Marty Walsh and Ron Hainsey met with some Blue Jackets players Thursday as part of their investigation.
Babcock said Tuesday that he did nothing wrong by asking his players to show him their family photos on their phones, adding that he was trying to establish a relationship with them.
Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette mentioned on his podcast show Spittin’Chiclets’ that he had learned through an anonymous player that Babcock had asked his players to see the photos in their phone before broadcasting them on their television.
Babcock and Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner said in a joint statement released by the Blue Jackets that the claim “is a gross misrepresentation of these meetings that is extremely offensive.”
Babcock was out of the NHL for almost four years after being fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs. Several of his former players also criticized him for his behavior after his departure.
