Marek Mazanec Womens Jersey Ask any NHL coach and he'll tell you he doesn't pay attention to it. The question: What does (insert significant career milestone here) mean to you? Most coaches, at least the most successful ones, will say they can't be bothered with cataloging personal achievements. Their job is to win, and win often. If they're fortunate enough, maybe they will even have their name etched on the Stanley Cup. Besides team success, though, there is one rare milestone coaches do appreciate: 1,000 games behind the bench. On Tuesday, Dave Tippett of the Arizona Coyotes became the 24th coach to reach that benchmark. On Thursday, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock became the 25th. Justin Faulk Youth Jersey In today's sports landscape, that's an impressive milestone for any coach. "Game No. 1, I was really nervous. Game No. 1,000, I don't think I'll be that nervous," Tippett told reporters with a laugh before Tuesday's game. "I've been real fortunate to be around for a long time, and I still enjoy doing it. When you get on the bench, it's the closest thing as you can be to being a player and you're involved in the game. That part is still a lot of fun for me." Nine active coaches have coached 1,000 games: Joel Quenneville (1,428), Lindy Ruff (1,379), Ken Hitchcock (1,374), Barry Trotz (1,325), Paul Maurice (1,250), Darryl Sutter (1,170), Alain Vigneault (1,019), Tippett (1,000) and now Babcock. The common thread is that all have won at a high level. And some have their names on the Stanley Cup. Most also either started coaching in junior hockey or the AHL, so they have an understanding of what it takes to reach the NHL, not only as a coach but also as a player. Ben McLemore Womens Jersey The best coaches have the ability to coach, teach and evolve with the game and its players. "If you don't evolve with it, you're going to be behind," Tippett said. Tippett, 54, has spent 6½ seasons behind the Coyotes bench. Before that, he spent six seasons as head coach of the Dallas Stars. Babcock, 52, is in his first season as coach of the Maple Leafs. His résumé speaks for itself, and it includes 10 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and a Stanley Cup in 2008. Before joining the Red Wings, he spent two seasons with the Anaheim Ducks (2002-04) and led the team to its first Cup finals appearance. Babcock also is the only coach to win a World Championship, Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup. Now that he's reached 1,000 games in the NHL, he pretends not to care. http://www.officialnuggetsshop.com/authentic-23-jusuf-nurkic-jersey.html "I haven't even thought about it, to tell you the truth," Babcock said. "It means you've obviously been in the league a long time and you must've had some success, because you don't get to stay in the league, no different than a player. I feel real honored to coach in the National Hockey League. There are only 30 of those jobs, and I believe it's the best league in the world. Obviously, you've been able to keep your job long enough to get there."