Gretzky Back in NHL, As Owner
P H O E N I X, Feb. 16 -- Wayne Gretzky's exuberance showed through when heplayed, and he couldn't restrain it when he got back into hockey asa partner in the new Phoenix Coyotes ownership.
"I said from Day 1 that I'm not going to be the president,coach or general manager, but I own a piece of a hockey team andI'm thrilled about that," he said Thursday after he and managingpartner Steve Ellman completed their $90 million purchase of theteam.
The closing came hours before an NHL deadline to finish thedeal. Ellman and Gretzky already had been given two extensions towrap up the purchase from Richard Burke after delays because offinancial complications.
This time, Ellman said, it took 48 hours of haggling because ofpaperwork.
"I'm apologetic that it took so long," he said. "It has beenextremely difficult, but not as dramatic, possibly, as seen fromthe outside."
Wants to Sign Khabibulin
Gretzky, who joined Ellman on May 26, said he hasn't plannedpersonnel moves, in part because NHL commissioner Gary Bettmanwanted him to stay clear until the closing.
But he disclosed plans to re-sign goalie Nikolai Khabibulin,bring former teammate Pat Conacher aboard as an assistant coach andreward forward Claude Lemieux, who signed with the Coyotes for the$150,000 minimum, but expects $9 million for the next three years.
"We've been on the outside looking in," Gretzky said. "Weweren't in the locker room. We purposely stayed away — it's whatMr. Bettman wanted us to do."
Bettman brokered the deal to make sure the franchise stayed inArizona.
Had the sale fallen through, Burke would have been free to keepthe $26 million that the new owners paid in advance and sell tosomeone else.
But Burke persevered, granting two extensions past an originalclosing date of June 30.
"It's a relief that this is over," he said. "I'm sure it isfor everybody involved."
Goal: Another Goalie
Ellman pegged his acquisition costs at $125 million, includingthe sale price, operating losses since July 1 and closing fees.
Related Stories
ABC News Live