NHL: Gretzky reportedly to coach Phoenix

It took more than a year of coaxing and prodding, but the Phoenix Coyotes finally will have the greatest hockey player of all time behind the bench coaching the team.

According to multiple league sources and media outlets, the Coyotes will call a news conference today to announce managing partner Wayne Gretzky is their head coach. The 44-year-old Gretzky will have three assistant coaches — ex-Detroit associate coach Barry Smith, former Coyote Rick Tocchet and Rick Bowness, a former Phoenix assistant who ended the 2003-04 season as interim head coach in place of the fired Bob Francis.

As reported in the East Valley Tribune of Mesa, Ariz., Gretzky first expressed interest in Phoenix's job last summer and agreed in principle to a deal several months ago. The deal is believed to be open-ended, and will be reviewed on a year-to-year basis.

In recent weeks, Gretzky has agonized over the decision because of family issues. His mother is ill in Brantford, Ontario, and his wife and children have become ingrained in their Southern California life, leading some news outlets to report he would pass on the position.

But the opportunity to get back into the competitive arena and the day-to-day excitement of the game evidently appealed to the league's all-time leader in goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857).

"The Great One" was voted the league's most valuable player nine times. He retired as a player in April 1999.

Gretzky already has committed to serve as executive director for Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in February.

Smith was a finalist for the Coyotes' coaching job in 1997, which eventually went to Jim Schoenfeld. In 11 seasons as associate coach under Scotty Bowman (10) and Dave Lewis (one), Smith helped the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup titles.

Tocchet, 41, played 18 league seasons, including three with the Coyotes. He spent one season as an assistant to Tony Granato with the Colorado Avalanche, but left last year with the idea of joining Gretzky — one of his closest friends — in Arizona.

Hurricanes sign Whitney for 2 years

RALEIGH, N.C. — Ray Whitney signed a two-year contract with Carolina, giving the Hurricanes a two-time All-Star who has surpassed 60 points in five of his last seven seasons.

The 33-year-old left wing is joining his sixth league team. He has scored more than 20 goals in a season five times, setting a career high with 33 in 1997-98 with Edmonton and Florida.

"I am very excited with the addition of Ray, who is a skilled forward who will add more speed and offense to our team," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said.

About 300 players became free agents last Monday, after a new labor contract was ratified. A lockout led to cancellation of the 2004-05 season.

Compiled from the East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.), The Associated Press and Bloomberg News.