Created: 09/25/2009 10:02 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email By: Vineeta Sawkar

SAWKAR: Wayne Gretzky Resigns

It seems like yesterday that Wayne Gretzky was hoisting the Stanley Cup for the Edmonton Oilers. The mid-80's were good years for #99.

Now, here we are in 2009 and he is resigning as head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes in a cloud of defeat. He hasn't exactly brought much happiness to Phoenix fans. The team has struggled. Still, I am sad to see him go. I enjoyed going to Wild games and seeing him behind the bench for Phoenix. In fact, I usually make it a point to attend those games.

I spent many years travelling around two countries watching Wayne Gretzky play. I still remember an overtime playoff game in Los Angeles. My friend Karen and I flew in from Boston to see it. It went into overtime and we were in danger of missing our flight back to Boston. We looked at each other and we knew there was no way we were leaving an overtime playoff hockey game. So we stayed. The Kings won and luckily, we still made our flight.

I have some great memories of watching him play. He is a class act and although he will no longer be an active member of the NHL community...he will always be the marquis player of all time.