Nhl Tickets - The Great One Leaves Coyotes

The Phoenix Coyotes have been in limbo for quite some time as the fight over the

ownership of the franchise waged on, but that story was recently eclipsed by Wayne Gretzky's announcement. Gretzky was the coach of the Coyotes as well as Director of Hockey Operations for the team, and he announced that he would be stepping down on September 24. Gretzky didn't keep fans guessing about the reason for his resignation and instead posted a statement on his website about the decision.

He started by saying, "This was a difficult decision that I've thought long and hard about. 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 Manger 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."

He went on to thank many of the people he has worked with as well as saying that he had high hopes for the future of the Coyotes. He finished with, "I often said it was the greatest honor and privilege I could imagine to be able to play in the National Hockey League. I feel the same way about being an NHL coach. I've loved the four years I spent coaching the Coyotes. Not a day went by when I took it for granted, and I will miss the competition of the NHL dearly. It was an honor to hold the position, and I will always consider myself especially fortunate to have had this opportunity." Even though he resigned his positions with the team, Gretzky still owns a small part of the team. It has already been announced that Dave Tippett will take over for Gretzky. The announcement was expected, as associate coach Ulf Samuelsson was already taking the interim head coaching duties.

Gretzky wasn't necessarily the right man for the job in Phoenix as the team constantly struggled to make the playoffs, but that hardly takes away from his unmatched legacy. Even out of sports legends, few have had the history of Gretzky. He was already making headlines as the next big thing before he even hit his teens. After years of blowing away the competition in the amateur leagues, Gretzky turned pro in 1978 with the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association.

He joined the NFL the next season as part of the Edmonton Oilers. He stayed with the team through 1988 as a captain, winning them four Stanley Cups in the process. The Oilers traded him to the Los Angeles Kings, where he stayed until 1996 when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. He didn't stay long, and he played his final three seasons for the New York Rangers. He retired in 1999, holding nearly every record in the NHL. Players still hope to be the next Gretzky, and fans can see them try with NHL tickets online.

by: Brent Warnken

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