Wings give Babcock a new contract

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jun 12, 2008

DETROIT (AP) -- Mike Babcock helped bring the Stanley Cup back to Detroit.

In turn, Red Wings ownership is bringing Babcock back for three more years.

The team announced Wednesday that the Cup-winning coach has agreed to a three-year contract worth about $4.5 million.

"For me, this place has been fantastic," Babcock said during a morning news conference at Joe Louis Arena. "I love where I live. I love coming to work."

Babcock led Detroit to a title in his third season. During that time, the Wings twice have had the most points in the regular season.

LINDEN, NORSTROM RETIRING: Vancouver Canucks forward Trevor Linden retired from the NHL on Wednesday, 20 years to the day after the team drafted him into the league.

Chosen second overall behind only Dallas' Mike Modano in the 1988 draft, Linden spent 16 of his 19 seasons in Vancouver, where he was the face of the franchise for most of the past two decades.

Also, Dallas Stars defenseman Mattias Norstrom retired Wednesday, ending a 14-year career that included stops with the New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings. The 36-year-old Norstrom played 903 career NHL games, most of them in Los Angeles, where was a captain.