ORLANDO, FL – If the bankruptcy judge deciding who will own the franchise worked as quick as Phoenix general manager Don Maloney, the fate of the Coyotes might be known by now.
Hours after head coach and director of hockey operations Wayne Gretzky announced his resignation, Maloney called a press conference to introduce new coach Dave Tippett to the media and fans. Tippett signed a multi-year deal with the team earlier in the day and ran his first practice just before the press conference.
“It’s another step in clearing things up and hopefully moving things forward,” Coyotes captain Shane Doan said.
Tippett comes to the desert after spending the last six season as the head man for the Dallas Stars. In that time, Tippett’s teams posted a 271-162-59 record and made the playoffs in each of the first five seasons. A year ago, the Stars failed to qualify the post-season and new Dallas general manager Joe Nieuwendyk decided a change was needed.
An 11-year NHL veteran with 93 career goals and 169 assists in 721 games, Tippett’s coaching resume includes the 1999 IHL Turner Cup championship. That year, he led the Houston Aeros to the title wearing the twin hats of general manager and head coach.
The Tippett announcement ended a whirlwind day that started with Gretzky telling the world on his web site that he was walking away because “both remaining bidders have it clear that I don’t fit into their future plans”. The “they” that Gretzky was referring to are Blackberry boss Jim Balsillie and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman who are battling in court for ownership of the team.
In a strange irony, since the league has been running the team for some time, Bettman had to OK the Tippett signing.
In a release, Bettman lauded Gretzky for stepping aside. At the same time, he seemed to imply that the league would entertain Gretzky’s input should the NHL gain full control of the franchise.
“As always, Wayne placed the welfare of the team ahead of his own in making this extremely difficult decision. While the Coyotes have not had the degree of on-ice success that has been Wayne’s objective, there can be no question he has played a vital role in the youth movement that has positioned the Coyotes for success in the future,” Bettman said. “We have nothing but admiration for all that Wayne has done for the game and are extremely hopeful there will be a prominent role for Wayne with the Coyotes if the league’s bid for the club is successful. We look forward to his continued involvement.”
Gretzky had one year left on a five-year contract that reportedly would have paid him $8.5 million this season.
Contact the author at don.money@prohockeynews.com
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