Sports | Gretzky Leaves Coaching Job : Jhoni.com

Gretzky Leaves Coaching Job

Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM, Sports, Washington Post

Text Size:

Wayne Gretzky has resigned as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.

Gretzky's departure had been rumored as the bankruptcy court battle between Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie and the NHL over the sale of the financially troubled team dragged on.

"This was a difficult decision that I've thought long and hard about," Gretzky said in a statement Thursday on his Web site. "We all hoped there would be a resolution earlier this month to the Coyotes' ownership situation, but the decision is taking longer than expected."

The Coyotes introduced Dave Tippett as Gretzky's successor.

BOXING

Lange to Face Reid

Great Falls native Jimmy Lange headlines an eight-bout card at Patriot Center in Fairfax on Saturday night. Lange (30-3-2, 21 knockouts) will fight Jonathan Reid (34-11, 19 KOs), a former teammate of Lange's from "The Contender" television show. Also on the card will be former WBO champion and Washington native DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley (35-11-1, 21 KOs), who is fighting in the area for the first time since December 2004. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the first fight is at 7:30.

PRO BASKETBALL

Coleman Gets Honor

Washington Mystics forward Marissa Coleman was named to the WNBA all-rookie team. Joining Coleman were Atlanta's Angel McCoughtry, Phoenix's DeWanna Bonner, Detroit's Shavonte Zellous and Minnesota's Renee Montgomery. . . .

The New York Knicks have re-signed forward David Lee to a one-year contract. Lee will make about $8 million, according to his agent, Mark Bartelstein.

MISC.

Army Fires Crews

Army fired Jim Crews as its men's basketball coach after seven losing seasons.

Athletic Director Kevin Anderson said in a statement that Crews won't be on the bench when the Black Knights start the 2009-10 season. . . .

New York police have charged standout Binghamton University basketball player Emanuel "Tiki" Mayben with possessing and selling cocaine.

Police say Mayben had 3.4 grams of cocaine when he was arrested Wednesday night in Troy. . . .

Three-time Olympian Bode Miller says he's rejoining the U.S. ski team, and if he qualifies for the Vancouver Olympics, he will compete.

Miller plans to ski during the upcoming World Cup season after taking a long break to contemplate his career.

-- From News Services

Source: Washington Post

« Back to Sports News

Related News

• The Land of Misfits Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

  Today’s pop quiz: Which was the bigger misfit, Mississippi in college football’s top five or Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix?

  
  

• Tippett takes over as coach of troubled Coyotes from Gretzky Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

  GLENDALE, Arizona (Reuters) - Dave Tippett was named head coach of the NHL's troubled Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, replacing Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who had resigned hours earlier.

  
  

• Judge orders hearing on Coyotes mediation request Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

  PHOENIX — A federal bankruptcy judge has scheduled an emergency hearing on Wednesday on a request by Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes to force the NHL into mediation over the contentious issues surrounding the sale of the team.

  
  

• NFL Fast Forward After Spinning Wheels, Some Teams Gain Traction Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

  There were so many moving parts in the weeks leading up to the start of the N.F.L. season that it had begun to look like a toddler’s game of musical chairs. Fired offensive coordinators, late-appearing quarterbacks — it sure was entertaining. But was it productive?

  
  

• Vick to play in Eagles' final preseason game Sep 24, 2009 @ 11:24 PM

  PHILADELPHIA — Michael Vick will play in the Eagles' final preseason game, and might even take some snaps as a conventional quarterback.