04/24/24
December 19, 2005
The Great One steps down as head coach of Coyotes: His role in assembling and directing Team Canada at the Turin Games in February is similarly uncertain at this point.
I have nothing but sympathy for someone in his position, but this strikes me as a little odd. Did he not know his mother's condition when he accepted the roles of both Coach of the Coyotes and Director of Team Canada? Is he not leaving both teams in the lurch at this late date? Again, understably, he wants to be with his mother, but this is a position that many people with jobs are in, and by definition one's personal life must be balanced by their professional comittments. It's one thing if he resigns, but it appears as though he's taking indefinite leave, which is unfair to Team Canada in terms of planning, and would be for the Coyotes if he weren't a part owner, I suppose. I don't mean to be hard on him, but something about this rubs me the wrong way.
posted by loquax at 09:43 AM on December 19, 2005
Wayne is allowed a lot more leway in the hockey than anyone else. The man has achieved a near diety like status in the hockey world (rightly so) so if he needs time off he will get it regardless of the circumstances or fancy wording used to denote time off. Am I the only one who is a little curious to see what Rick Tocchet will do behind the bench. Based in his playing style compared to Wayne's I'm sure we are going to see Ricky has a different aproach to coaching as well.
posted by HATER 187 at 09:48 AM on December 19, 2005
Did he not know his mother's condition when he accepted the roles of both Coach of the Coyotes and Director of Team Canada? His mother was diagnosed with cancer back in March (which is why he turned down leading the World Championship squad at that time). It's one thing if he resigns, but it appears as though he's taking indefinite leave, which is unfair to Team Canada in terms of planning, The team is pretty much set. There might be one or two spots still up for grabs (plus the 3-man taxi squad), but he's already made his input on the team. As well, he's consulted with two men he trusts (Lowe and Tambellini), so I think it's in good hands. The contribution he's made to the team hasn't just disappeared. He just won't be making any more contributions until such time he is ready.
posted by grum@work at 10:03 AM on December 19, 2005
The contribution he's made to the team hasn't just disappeared. He just won't be making any more contributions until such time he is ready. You're right, and I am speaking more from principle than practicalites. I honestly don't care if he's running the team or not. I just think that it would be more appropriate to resign both jobs and then "re-apply" for them when he's ready to return, assuming the positions are open. That's what pretty much any other employee of a company would have to do in a similar situation. It's certainly what I would have to do, once my 8 weeks of statutory unpaid personal leave expires. It's not fair to ask organizations to hold spots open in the long term for someone who may choose to never come back.
posted by loquax at 10:13 AM on December 19, 2005
loquax, you're right, in principle. But there may be no more special case, in any sport, than Wayne. He's earned the trust of the entire sport and everyone in it, and if he thinks the time is right to hand the reins of the Coyotes and the National team off to people who (in both cases) he had already hand-picked as his seconds so he can be with his mama, well, he's never done Canada, or hockey, or his own family, wrong before. The heavy lifting with the Olympic team is pretty much done, and I suspect he'll be in contact with everyone anyways from here on in. Team Canada knows the score, and it's not like this leaves a leadership vacuum in his wake. This is just an administrative decision at this point. With the Coyotes, I suspect it's a similar deal. Tocchet's not exactly an NHL greenhorn, and while they're still finding their sea legs after a terrible start to the season, leadership and maturity in the locker room is not their problem. This is sad news, but I understand.
posted by chicobangs at 10:37 AM on December 19, 2005
He wouldn't be there unless Phyllis looked to be close to the end. Wayne takes his responsibilites to the game very seriously. I have to admit it seems a little weird per se - but Phyllis and Walter are hockey royalty and part of the big Canadian family. They get as much slack as is humanly allowed, and then an extra five feet. Wayne needs to be home in Brantford right now, tending to the foundations of hockey. And if you think that's even remotely hyperbole consider that the CBC just did a movie about Walter Gretzky's stroke. That's like NBC commissioning a film about Brett Farve's dad.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:37 AM on December 19, 2005
He isn't leaving anyone in a lurch. Before he accepted the coaching job, he insured that were something to happen to his mother, he'd be able to go to her with no questions. In fact, I can't find a link, but somewhere there is one to his statement when he accepted the Head Coach job-and he mentioned his mother then, but at that time her prognosis was far better. Anyone who needed to know knew, and what is being done now is just a lot of second-guessing.
posted by mrhockey at 01:21 PM on December 19, 2005
Just for comparison, Rafa Benitez stayed with the Reds in Japan rather than fly to Spain for his dad's freaking funeral! I can't imagine, if the two were on goods terms, why a match in some fairly inconsequential tournament would be more important than going home. Then again, maybe this is part of the personality necessary to be a world-class coach/athlete.
posted by billsaysthis at 03:14 PM on December 19, 2005
And if you think that's even remotely hyperbole consider that the CBC just did a movie about Walter Gretzky's stroke. Wow. That does drive the point home.
posted by tieguy at 05:32 PM on December 19, 2005
Well, unfortunately it looks like Phyllis Gretzky passed away today. http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2265795
posted by loquax at 10:38 PM on December 19, 2005
.
posted by chicobangs at 01:48 AM on December 20, 2005
It is my experience that anyone whom is thrown into a situation such as this that has had the business or sport as big a part of their life as Gretzky has would be a telephone call away from advising in important issues regardless of his "time away" from his positions. In fact the stress brought on by the family issues would be relieved slightly by such a distraction.
posted by Ice Goblin at 08:32 AM on December 20, 2005
my heart goes out to Wayne and his family at this time. how can anyone be so cold and say the things said...I dare someone to be insensitive now... just leave this man and his family in peace for goodness sake.
posted by Catherine at 08:38 AM on December 20, 2005
.
posted by garfield at 09:00 AM on December 20, 2005
Taking leave to tend to a sick loved one comes across, to me, a little different that stepping down. I assume he'll be back with the Coyotes. Involvement with Team Canada might be another thing though since the time frame of that is limited and he has other pressing concerns.