The fallout from Wayne Gretzky’s resignation as coach and managing partner of the Phoenix Coyotes began in earnest Thursday.

Phoenix, AZ (AP) – Wayne Gretzky has resigned as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. Gretzky’s departure had been rumored as the bankruptcy court battle between Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and the NHL over
the sale of the financially troubled team dragged on. Gretzky said in a statement Thursday on his Web site that both bidders have “made it clear” that he doesn’t fit into their future plans. Gretzky, who is due to make $8.5 million this season, coached the Coyotes from 2005-2009, finishing with a 143-161-24 record.There was no immediate word on a replacement.

Why now? Was he pushed out? Did the league not want him to stick around?

Statement From Wayne Gretzky – Gretzky.com

The sense from the Gretzky camp is he felt ignored by both the league and Jim Balsillie’s people — the two groups battling in court for control of the NHL club. But NHL commissioner Gary Bettman sounded genuinely surprised by Gretzky’s decision.  Read full story here

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

RELATED ARTICLES:

NFL Updates Cardinals, Raiders and Redskins

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

FEDERER BETWEEN THE LEGS SHOT 2009 US OPEN VIDEO

Monday, September 14th, 2009

POSTED BY:  Kane Reed (Sports Writer)

Tags: gretzky, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes, wayne gretsky, wayne gretzky resigns, wayne gretzky stats, wayne gretzy statement

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 24th, 2009 at 2:09 pm and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.