EDMONTON, Alberta, June 16 (UPI) -- Former NHL great Wayne Gretzky has decided to guide Team Canada in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in February at Turin, Italy.
The Hall of Famer is currently a managing partner with the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes. He also held the post of executive director for 2002 Olympics and 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Gretzky had passed on a chance to come back to the team earlier this year to attend to his mother, who is undergoing treatments for lung cancer.
If the NHL reaches a new collective bargaining agreement with the NHL Players' Association during the Olympics, Gretzky said he likely will serve in more of an advisory role.
At Turin, he will be joined by Toronto Maple Leafs coach Pat Quinn, who will be an assistant coach, and former NHL teammate Kevin Lowe, who will be his chief assistant. Vancouver Canucks assistant general manager Steve Tambellini will be the director of player personnel.
