Mike Babcock chokes up saying final goodbyes in Detroit

WATCH ABOVE: Mike Babcock bids emotional farewell to the Detroit Red Wings

New Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock bid an emotion farewell  Friday to the city of Detroit where he spent the last 10 years of his coaching career.

The typically gruff coach choked up as he said his goodbyes. He appeared to be holding back tears as he spoke of Red Wings GM Ken Holland and thanked everyone from “the guy who cleaned the rink” to the owners of the team.

“As you can see, just as I talk, I’m… emotionally involved with the franchise and with this city and with the people and it gives me great pride for what we’ve been able to accomplish in my ten years here,” he said.

WATCH: Mike Babcock chokes up talking about friendship with Ken Holland

“It’s been real special to say the least,” he added later.

Babcock was formally introduced as the new head coach of the Maple Leafs with a reported $50-million, eight-year contract at a news conference Thursday.  He offered some insight into his commitment to Toronto by saying he would have accepted far shorter deals in competing cities.

READ MORE: Can Mike Babcock turn the Leafs into a winner?

He made the playoffs every year in Detroit, but says he recognizes coaching the rebuilding Leafs will be a different challenge as the team has only one playoff appearance in the last decade.

“The Red Wings are going to be great and the Leafs are going to be a work in progress,” he said.

“I have a burning desire to win… The immediate gratification thing that I’m used to every game day, that I love, is going to be harder.”

WATCH: Mike Babcock: The Red Wings will be fine, the Leafs…are a work in progress

While admitting winning in Toronto will be harder, Babcock did hint that coaching the team had been a sort-of dream of his.

“I get to coach the Maple Leafs. A kid from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, whose buddy was Gordie Howe’s nephew, you knew who the Red Wings were, you got to coach the Red Wings, and now you get to coach the Maple Leafs, so I feel very, very special to have had this opportunity and I’m excited about the next one.”