The coach of the Metropolitan Division at the 2017 NHL All-Star Game is busy tending to a dog, and his replacement has plenty of experience tending to dogs. Hockey dogs. The Coyotes.
2017 NHL All-Star Game: Wayne Gretzky will replace John Tortorella as Metropolitan Division coach
Tortorella is caring for a sick (fluffy) family member.
Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
Wayne Gretzky once coached the Arizona Coyotes, and now the greatest hockey player of all time will step behind the bench to coach the Metro at the All-Star Game on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Columbus Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella pulled out of the weekend festivities to take care of his son’s ailing dog, Emma, while his son is on duty with the U.S. Army Rangers. The NHL asked Gretzky to take over, which is sure to be fun as The Great One coaches The Next One (Sidney Crosby) for a day.
Gretzky’s one and only NHL coaching gig came in 2005 when he took the helm of the then-Phoenix Coyotes. It did not go well: Gretzky went 143-161-24 as Coyotes coach before stepping down in 2009. Because, really, who would fire Wayne Gretzky?
If the Metro stars win the Skills Competition on Saturday, Gretzky will get to choose which team his players face first in the 3-on-3 tournament on Sunday. Gretzky told reporters on Friday that he’s a big fan of the 3-on-3 format, both in overtime and at the All-Star Game.
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