Kevin Kaminski has been around hockey long enough to know speculation can take on a life of its own. But if the rumours linking Mike Babcock to the Edmonton Oilers’ head coaching vacancy gain traction, Kaminski believes his former mentor would bring one thing immediately: preparation.
The former NHL player and longtime coach joined The SportsCage this week to promote his annual golf tournament in Churchbridge and reflected on the coach who helped launch his own career behind the bench.
After retiring from hockey because of concussions, Kaminski got his first coaching opportunity working under Babcock with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. That experience left a lasting impression.
“When I got into coaching after I retired due to concussions, his X’s and O’s, his video, he gets everyone to buy in on the same page.”
Kaminski said Babcock’s attention to detail stood out immediately.
“I know the teams in Cincinnati that we had, we were good, but we weren’t the upper echelon, but we did some damage in the playoffs,” Kaminski explained. “All year long, we had great seasons before he went on to Anaheim. His preparation is unbelievable.”
With Edmonton operating in win-now mode around stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Kaminski believes Babcock’s ability to manage personalities would translate.
“You’re carrying 25 guys, that’s 25 different personalities,” Kaminski said. “I felt that with the two years in Cincinnati, he got the best out of everyone on that team.”
Kaminski added that if Babcock were to land the role, simplicity may be the key.
“Coach the game and do what you’ve done to be successful all these years.”
While hockey talk grabbed attention, Kaminski’s focus these days also includes an event that has become one of the highlights of the summer in Saskatchewan. His annual golf tournament in Churchbridge returns August 8 and continues a tradition that stretches nearly three decades. Kaminski estimates the event has raised close to $600,000 for local projects in a community of roughly 900 people.
The money has helped fund everything from the curling rink and skating rink to ball diamonds, a swimming pool, a skateboard park, playgrounds and high school scoreboards. More recently, proceeds have supported upgrades to the local golf course.
“This is the weekend that everyone quits farming, quits going to the lake to have some fun and raise some money for the community.”
For Kaminski, the event has never been about putting his name on something.
“It’s not about me. It’s about the kids coming up to have better things than what we had when we were kids.”
Tournament organizers say only morning tee times remain available.
To register for the Kevin Kaminski Golf Tournament in Churchbridge on August 8, call 306-743-7372.
