Wayne Gretzky Resigns from the Coyotes

It’s a sad day in Glendale Arizona as the Phoenix Coyotes , whose future is uncertain, learned that they have one of their greatest assets, Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky stepped down Thursday as coach and director of hockey operations of the beleaguered Phoenix franchise after he wasn’t able to turn things around on or off the ice.

Gretzky has been in a very tough spot through this whole bankruptcy fiasco while Judge Redfield T. Baum mulls over bids by Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and the NHL to buy the franchise.

This was a well kept secret as just hours after Gretzky resigned, the Coyotes introduced Dave Tippett as his successor. So this had clearly been coming for some time and Gretzky, being the consummate professional he is, waited until the Coyotes could find their guy before jumping ship.

When you think about it, that’s a heck of a move. He could have stepped down whenever he wanted but it would have just added to the mess that is the Coyotes franchise. On the contrary, I’m sure he helped his replacement to come in and take over.

Tippett spent the last six seasons as coach of the Dallas Stars and joins another new member of the staff as Dave King was hired as an assistant earlier this week. Associate coach Ulf Samuelsson has been running the team's training camp.

"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," Gretzky said.

"We all hoped there would be a resolution earlier this month to the Coyotes ownership situation, but the decision is taking longer than expected," Gretzky said in a statement. "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."

Technically there is still a chance that Wayne will remain with the organization as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is keeping the door open to Gretzky the league's bid for the franchise is successful.

"As always, Wayne placed the welfare of the team ahead of his own in making this extremely difficult decision," Bettman said in a statement. "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”.

"We have nothing but admiration for all that Wayne has done for the game, and are extremely hopeful there will be a prominent role for Wayne with the Coyotes if the league's bid for the club is successful. We look forward to his continued involvement."

The writing seemed to be on the wall as Gretzky had been absent from the team during training camp as court proceedings dragged on. The first came at the NHL draft in June, when he wasn't on stage with the Coyotes scouts and executives as they made their selection. In years past, he was always there to greet the team's newest prospects.

The Great One first joined the Coyotes as a managing partner in February 2001 and later became coach on Aug. 8, 2005 - just after the end of the league's lockout. In four seasons under Gretzky, a young Coyotes team failed to make the playoffs.