Mike Babcock thanks Red Wings fans in full-page ad

Mike Babcock may be on to a new team, but he clearly hasn't forgotten about his old one.

The former Detroit Red Wings coach who won a Stanley Cup in 2008 and made the postseason in each of his 10 seasons in Detroit took out a full-page ad in Friday's Detroit Free Press to thank the team's fans.

It says:

"Detroit Red Wings fans,

Thank you for an amazing 10 years!

We'll never forget the support you've provided us and will always cherish the memories we've shared together in Hockeytown.

- The Babcocks"

The ad features a portrait of Babcock and a photo of him hoisting the Stanley Cup around his family.

Babcock left the Red Wings this week to sign an 8-year, $50-million deal to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs.

That leaves the Red Wings looking for a new coach for the first time since 2005 - though they may not have to search for long.

Contact Brian Manzullo: bmanzullo@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BrianManzullo.