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Gretzky Sidesteps Questions About Scandal
2006-02-13
Wayne Gretzky sidestepped questions about the gambling investigation that has engulfed him and his wife, and insisted Monday he won't distract the Canadian Olympic team despite a scandal that has shaken all of hockey. Gretzky spoke for just 4 1/2 minutes in a news conference cut off by a Hockey Canada official when the NHL great repeatedly was asked about the integrity of the game. "That's not for me to talk about," Gretzky said. Gretzky's shoulders sagged at one point, and he reacted with a nervous laugh a couple of times. Hockey Canada official Andre Brin interrupted five times to say Gretzky would take only game-related questions. "There's no story about me, that's what I keep trying to tell you. I'm not involved," Gretzky said. This was Gretzky's final media availability before he left for Turin. The Canadian team was to fly from Toronto's Pearson International Airport after practice. Gretzky was scheduled to fly with the team and Brin said it was his understanding that Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, was also flying with them. Gretzky wanted to discuss Canada's defense of its gold medal. The Phoenix coach declined to take questions about a gambling ring that authorities said was financed by Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet and allegedly took bets from Jones. "Not much really to add to what I said two days ago," Gretzky said after practice at a rink in suburban Toronto. "Nothing for me to talk about. I'm not involved. It's been a hard week for my family." "The only focus I have right now is this hockey team getting ready for the Olympic Games," he said. Philadelphia Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock, an assistant on the Canadian squad, said the players are so focused on a gold medal that he doesn't think they "would dare let something like this distraction get in their way." Gretzky acknowledges the pressure on Canada to repeat as gold medalists. "They're always under the microscope," he said. "We're a team that's always looked upon to winning gold medals. This will be no different." New Jersey authorities announced charges last week against Tocchet, a New Jersey state trooper and another New Jersey man for running a nationwide sports gambling operation. State police said wagers -- primarily on professional football -- exceeded $1.7 million in the five weeks leading to the Super Bowl. Tocchet is on an indefinite leave from the Coyotes. Jones has not been charged with any crime but is expected to be subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating gambling activity, attorneys said. Team Canada players backed Gretzky. "He's put this team together and we're excited he's coming and that he'll be a part of that," team captain Joe Sakic said. "I know people are trying to bring up, `What's going on with Wayne?' ... It's not an issue." Said goaltender Martin Brodeur: "You feel for people that are getting judged for sometimes no reason. So for people to waste any energy asking us these questions, you just brush it off and move on to the next question." Gretzky is in his first season as Phoenix's coach. The investigation is the latest burden in what has been a tough two-month stretch for him. Gretzky's mother, Phyllis, died of lung cancer on Dec. 19. Three weeks later, his grandmother died. Canadian national team players arrived by bus in Mississauga, an hour east of Gretzky's hometown of Brantford in the early afternoon. About 100 fans cheered the players, and one fan held a poster-sized picture of Gretzky in a Los Angeles Kings uniform.
Gretzky turns focus from gambling to Games (2006-02-13)Timing of Wiretap Reportedly Backs Gretzky (2006-02-13)Gretzky Sidesteps Questions About Scandal (2006-02-13)Janet Jones Under the Spotlight Again (2006-02-10)AP NewsBreak: Gretzky Knew About Gambling (2006-02-09)
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