It appears Wayne Gretzky has decided to take over the head coaching duties for the Phoenix Coyotes.
According to the Arizona Republic, the Coyotes have called a news conference for 4 p.m. (et) Monday to make the announcement.
Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer and nine-time Most Valuable Player, is currently a managing partner with the Coyotes.
Gretzky, who was first approached by Phoenix general manager Mike Barnett back in May, wanted to wait until the NHL had a new collective bargaining agreement in place before taking the position.
Former Detroit Red Wings associate coach Barry Smith is also said to be named one of Gretzky's two assistants, while former Coyote player Rick Tocchet or interim head coach Rick Bowness are likely candidates for the other assistant vacancy.
Bowness took over the bench on an interim basis when Bob Francis was fired during the 2003-04 season.
Gretzky, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999 after his dazzling 20-year career, owns 17 percent of the Coyotes and is in the last year of a five-year agreement with owners Steve Ellman and Jerry Moyes to be paid $2.5 million per year as managing partner.
In addition to his tenure as managing partner of the Coyotes, Gretzky has also served as executive director of the Canadian national team. Under his guidance, Team Canada ended 50 years of Olympic frustration with a gold medal in 2002, and also won golds at the 2004 World Championships and the recent World Cup of Hockey.
Rock On,
:mj14: :mj14: :mj14:
According to the Arizona Republic, the Coyotes have called a news conference for 4 p.m. (et) Monday to make the announcement.
Gretzky, the NHL's all-time leading scorer and nine-time Most Valuable Player, is currently a managing partner with the Coyotes.
Gretzky, who was first approached by Phoenix general manager Mike Barnett back in May, wanted to wait until the NHL had a new collective bargaining agreement in place before taking the position.
Former Detroit Red Wings associate coach Barry Smith is also said to be named one of Gretzky's two assistants, while former Coyote player Rick Tocchet or interim head coach Rick Bowness are likely candidates for the other assistant vacancy.
Bowness took over the bench on an interim basis when Bob Francis was fired during the 2003-04 season.
Gretzky, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999 after his dazzling 20-year career, owns 17 percent of the Coyotes and is in the last year of a five-year agreement with owners Steve Ellman and Jerry Moyes to be paid $2.5 million per year as managing partner.
In addition to his tenure as managing partner of the Coyotes, Gretzky has also served as executive director of the Canadian national team. Under his guidance, Team Canada ended 50 years of Olympic frustration with a gold medal in 2002, and also won golds at the 2004 World Championships and the recent World Cup of Hockey.
Rock On,
:mj14: :mj14: :mj14:
