Wayne Gretzky stepped down as Coyotes head coach and director of hockey operations on Thursday. Gretzky, who would have been starting his fifth season as head coach, has not been with the team since the start of camp earlier in the summer. Named coach in August 2005, his four seasons the club went 143-161-24, and missed the playoffs each season. No word on whether Gretzky, who joined the club in 2000 as managing partner, will stay active in that role. He also holds an ownership stake, but the team is in bankruptcy and soon will have a new owner. Wayne was quoted as stating the following; “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 Manager Don Maloney and suggested he begin looking for someone to replace me as 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.”
The Coyotes didn’t take long to find a replacement however. Dave Tippett, who was fired less than four months ago as the Dallas Stars head coach, was appointed as new active head coach. Tippett said in a press conference earlier on Thursday “It’s a special day for me.” ” When Donnie( Phoenix Coyotes GM Don Maloney) first called me a couple of weeks ago, he kind of explained the situation here and where he thought the team was and where he thought it could get to. Right when he called, I was very intrigued. I know the team very well from playing against them in the division for so many years. The chance to come and build something was very exciting for me. That’s why I’m here.”
He certainly has some big shoes to fill being the new shot caller behind the bench in the desert. As of Thursday, Assistant coach Ulf Samuelsson is staying on in that capacity along with new hire, former Flyer goalie, Sean Burke as the new goaltending coach. Only time will tell what the future holds for the desert crew that calls the ice at Jobbing.com Arena home.

Stay tuned all season for more NHL news and free daily picks from the Hockey Handicapper
——-Whiskey T———