Dominic Turgeon, Michael Babcock Jr. talk famous hockey fathers at Red Wings’ development camp

Mike Babcock Jr. represented Detroit Catholic Central for MiHockey's annual high school captains photo shoot in 2012. (Nolan Bona/MiHockey)

By Tom Mitsos – 

TRAVERSE CITY — There was a unique pair of prospects and invitees at the Red Wings’ development camp Friday at Centre Ice Arena.

Detroit’s 2014 third-round pick Dominic Turgeon, son of former NHLer Pierre Turgeon, and Michael Babcock, son of Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, were both in attendance.

Dominic Turgeon just finished his second full year with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in which he accumulated 31 points (10 goals, 21 assists) in 65 games. Turgeon led his team to a berth in the WHL final, where it lost to the eventual Memorial Cup champion Edmonton Oil Kings.

Michael Babcock, who is attending the development camp for the third time, just finished up his first season with the USHL’s Fargo Force, where he scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 57 games.

Despite being the son of a former NHLer, Dominic Turgeon said his dad and himself are two different players.

“I guess people do know that we are two different kind of players,” he said. “As he was growing up, his game was always offense. For me, at the start, my defensive side of my game (was better). I feel like my offensive game is going to come.”

“We are two different players.”

Michael Babcock said it’s hard to avoid the topic of his dad, but he does whatever he can to focus on becoming a better player.

“I’d say that it’s a hard subject to avoid,” he said. “It’s probably easier for me than a guy like Turg (who’s dad is not) playing in the NHL just because my dad coaches. Some guys give you abuse — other guys embrace you.

“For me, just separating myself as a player is do what I do every day and just work hard and skate fast.”

Click the image above to see Dominic Turgeon's draft-day article. (Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey)

 

Dominic Turgeon said he knows this camp is not to be taken for granted and is excited to learn from some of the Red Wings coaches.

“Just to get all the input that I can and really improve my game,” he said. “I know these camps are special for your game and they can make you a really good hockey player.”

Michael Babcock said the best piece of advice his father gave him was to hold himself accountable.

“He always talks about how the definition of himself won’t be by how many Stanley Cups or gold medals he has — just more of a type of man he is and the family he raises,” Michael Babcock said.