Sports

Wayne Gretzky steps down as Coyotes head coach

by woodpeck | September 24, 2009 at 10:50 am

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Wayne Gretzky is stepping down as head coach and director of hockey operations of the beleaguered Phoenix Coyotes.

Gretzky, who is also the team's managing partner, says in a statement on his website that it's time to move on. He says he had hoped the Coyotes bankruptcy proceedings would have been finished by now. The decision is taking longer than expected, however.

Gretzky said: "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."

Gretzky had been in limbo with the never-ending bankruptcy hearings about the future of the club. With no resolution in sight that would see him remain as a managing partner, the other shoe (coaching duties) had to eventually fall. Good on him for taking the initiative and resigning instead of remaining a related sidebar story about the club's future for how ever long the courts take. What will happen to Gretzky's managing stake in the club remains to be seen but most reports are that he will get no further compensation.