Gretzky under fire

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – Wayne Gretzky made his first public appearance in Canada on Monday afternoon since his wife’s name was linked to a sports gambling ring allegedly financed by his top assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Gretzky, attending the Canadian national hockey team’s opening practice, issued a brief statement about the gambling scandal but stressed he wouldn’t dwell on it and would only discuss hockey. He spoke for just 4 1/2 minutes.

“It’s been a hard week for my family and I want to focus on this hockey team and getting ready for the Olympic Games,” said Gretzky, Phoenix’s head coach and part-owner who also serves as executive director of Team Canada.

“The focus should be on these athletes who worked their lives to make the Olympics. … There’s no story about me. That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. I was not involved.”

The large media contingent that converged on a practice rink in suburban Toronto wouldn’t let the Great One off that easy.

Gretzky was peppered with questions about the allegations, and when a Team Canada media representative cut off some inquiries, tempers flared.

“There are reports that you’re a heavy bettor in Las Vegas,” one journalist shouted out before Gretzky turned away with an exasperated grin.

New Jersey State Police said last week Phoenix assistant Rick Tocchet was the financier of a gambling ring that took in wagers exceeding more than $1.7 million in the five weeks leading up to the Super Bowl. Operation Slapshot, as the investigation was dubbed, also revealed that Janet Jones Gretzky allegedly bet in the nationwide operation.

Gretzky assured the large contingent that the gambling scandal wouldn’t be a distraction to Team Canada in its quest to repeat as gold medalists.

“The athletes at the Games are pretty isolated,” he said.

Still, Gretzky and the team expect questions about the gambling ring while in Italy.

Said Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo: “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”

When asked if Gretzky’s reputation had been tarnished because of the scandal, Coyotes forward Shane Doan said perhaps the opposite would happen.

“It’s more impressive because he’s done nothing wrong and he’s kept his cool through all of this,” Doan said.