Wayne Gretzky is widely considered as the greatest hockey player to ever live. What many people may not know is that Gretzky had some major ties to the Arizona Coyotes following his legendary playing career. On February 15, 2001, ‘The Great One’ became a managing owner alongside Steve Ellman of the team that was referred to back in the day as the Phoenix Coyotes. While the Coyotes did not emulate success through Gretzky’s first few years owning part of the team, he provided the organization with newfound hope when he ultimately became the head coach in 2005. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SZw4nHvWNM[/embed] Based on his historical years as a player, it was easy to think that Gretzky would change hockey in Arizona. “I really practiced hard, I really knew who I was going to play against,” Gretzky said [https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=2161011]. “Each and every night, I spent countless hours in the video rooms going over things with coaches like John Muckler, so I made myself into the player that I became, and that’s the way I’m going to coach.” The Gretzky coaching era in Arizona was actually one of the Coyotes’ lowest points in their short history. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y2j-X4yZn4[/embed] Through the span of four seasons, Gretzky had a 143-161-24 record. The Coyotes failed to make the playoffs during Gretzky’s tenure, not even rising above fourth in the Pacific Division. In 2009, the Coyotes filed for bankruptcy which is also around the time that Gretzky stepped down from his coaching position with the team. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jds-BCBbgrA[/embed] “This was a difficult decision that I've thought long and hard about," Gretzky said. [https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904] "We all hoped there would be a resolution earlier this month to the Coyotes ownership situation, but the decision is taking longer than expected.” “Since both remaining bidders have made it clear that I don't fit into their future plans, I approached general manager Don Maloney and suggested he begin looking for someone to replace me as coach. Don has worked hard and explored many options. I think he has made an excellent choice, and so now it's time for me to step aside.” To say who’s fault everything was is unclear, but Gretzky was the easy scapegoat. “No matter what happens, they'll say it was all because of Wayne,” Walter Gretzky said [https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904] via Hamilton's CHCH News. “Everybody has to find a fall guy and they'll point their finger at Wayne even though he had nothing to do with this.” Despite many people viewing Gretzky’s time in Arizona as a complete and utter failure, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman did not share that same viewpoint. “As always, Wayne placed the welfare of the team ahead of his own in making this extremely difficult decision,” Bettman said in a statement released by the league. [https://www.espn.com/nhl/news/story?id=4499904] “While the Coyotes have not had the degree of on-ice success that always has been Wayne's objective, there can be no question he has played a vital role in the youth movement that has positioned the Coyotes for success in the future.” 20240120_Tourigny_Postgame_FTP Gretzky’s short coaching stint may have not gone the way that fans in the Valley would have hoped for, but the Coyotes are the only NHL team that can say that they were once coached by The Great One.
