Emotional Babcock addresses Detroit media: 'I loved it here'

A day after being introduced as the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mike Babcock was in Detroit to speak to the media.

It was an emotional day for the former Red Wings coach, who nearly broke down in tears several times while reminiscing about his 10 years with the franchise.

"I am just here today to say thanks, it's been great and thank you very much and I look forward to the next one," he told reporters. "And as you can see as I talk, I'm emotionally involved with the franchise and with the city and with the people and it gives me great pride what we were able to accomplish in my 10 years here."

Babcock addressed some of the tough questions, including what factor money played in his decision to sign the most lucrative deal in NHL coaching history with the Maple Leafs.

"There was money in every decision to a point where it wasn't a factor," he said.

"I made the decision myself. I loved it here and I'm going to love it at the next place," Babcock said. "I'm proud to be able to walk out of here today, we averaged 106.2 points a season while I was here."

He reiterated several times that he'll miss the people in the Red Wings organization.

"I enjoyed the people, I considered them friends, and they treated me like family," he said. "I've been here a long frigging time and they're probably tired of me."

The next time Babcock speaks at Joe Louis Arena will be following a Maple Leafs and Red Wings game.