Gretzky out as Canada’s Executive Director

From Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail:

Bob Nicholson, president of Hockey Canada, confirmed Monday that he wants Wayne Gretzky involved with the 2010 Canadian Olympic team, but it is unlikely that the Great One will serve as the general manager, the way he did for the past two Olympics.

“It looks as if Wayne is leaning towards another type of position with us,” said Nicholson, in an interview. “That’s about as far as I want to go with it today.”

Nicholson revealed that met with Gretzky in Toronto over the weekend, to begin preliminary talks on his role with the Olympic team and stressed that wants Gretzky involved in some capacity, going into Vancouver in February of 2010. Just what that capacity may be – likely, a consultancy role with a new, different managerial team in place to make the player and coaching selections – will depend upon further negotiations between Nicholson and Gretzky.

Read the entire article here.

Let’s be honest, with the Great One coaching, there just was not time for him to scout and plan and pick that team.  Canada need not worry, there are many capable men willing and able to handle that position.  However, the most interesting spin on this report is whether Gretzky lands the head coaching gig for 2010.  If I had to guess, I’d say he will be an associate coach.