'Babs Gave Me My Chance': Jim Hiller Reflects On Mike Babcock's Tenure With Maple Leafs Ahead Of Oilers Matchup

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers are meeting for the first time this season. It'll also be the first time that Jim Hiller and Mike Babcock faceoff as head coaches of their respective clubs.

Hiller was an assistant coach to Babcock for five years, four of which were with the Maple Leafs. But since being fired by Toronto in November 2019, Babcock hasn't coached in the NHL again until this season.

"It's nice to have him back," Hiller said after Friday's practice.

D.J. Smith is also behind the Oilers' bench as one of Babcock's assistants, and Hiller has a long history with him. They were both behind the bench in Toronto as assistants from 2015-16 to 2018-19. 

After that, they shared a stint with the Los Angeles Kings. Hiller was the head coach there, and Smith was his assistant beginning in the middle of the 2023-24 campaign until Hiller was relieved by the team in March of last season.

"It's not only Mike - it's D.J. Smith," Hiller noted. "Him and I have a long history and relationship. Probably thinking about how many times I beat him in pickleball, to be honest. But yeah, those are fun games. Just like sometimes for players, and they see ex-teammates and stuff. It's good to see those guys."

The genesis of Hiller's career, however, comes from the opportunity that Babcock gave him. The current Maple Leafs' bench boss won't forget about what Babcock did for him or what his time was like as a member of his staff.

"Well, first of all, Babs gave me my chance, pulled me out of junior, maybe others may not have," Hiller said. "So, you know, that was the start. I thought we had a good staff. I think we had a lot of fun. It was an exciting time to be part of the Maple Leafs back then, and look back on it fondly."

It'll be a tough task for the Maple Leafs when they visit the Oilers on Saturday. Edmonton started the year with an 8-1-1 record and is first in the NHL in points percentage, second in the true standings.

In addition to that, Connor McDavid is off to an otherworldly start to the campaign, scoring 31 points in 10 games, leading the league in that department. In fact, the Oilers own the top three in NHL scoring, with Leon Draisaitl's 21 points and Evan Bouchard's 19 points trailing the team's captain.

Could there be an advantage to Hiller's side, understanding how Babcock likes to run his team? 

"I think I know that part pretty well," he said vaguely. "They made a few changes, I think, that are subtle. But I mean, I'll have a good understanding. That's one thing. It's being able to shut them down is another thing."

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