Former Detroit Red Wings and current Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Mike Babcock fought back tears while discussing his meeting with Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay on Saturday.
Babcock said the hall of famer was in their coaching room ahead of the game.
"Mr. Lindsay is special, special man, he just lost his wife so it's hard for him right now," Babcock said to TSN. His wife, Joanne, died at the age of 81 on Feb. 23. "We had a little cry there.
"Mr. Lindsay is the type of man that makes you want to be a better man," Babcock added before taking a pause. "He's just a special guy."
Saturday was the final visit for Babcock to Joe Louis Arena. He coached Detroit from 2005-2015 and led them to the 2008 Stanley Cup.
Detroit's 25-year playoff streak came to an end last week, but when Babcock was in Detroit in January, he said the one person credited with keeping the streak alive is GM Ken Holland.
"Ken Holland. Simple. It's Ken Holland. (He) does it right each and every day. It's interesting, they've been so good for so long, but you look at all the young players they have and how good they are... I mean, they've done a heck of a job," Babcock said.
