Prospective Owner Gretzky Kept Out of Locker Room

Wayne Gretzky has already been paraded in front of the city as part of the incoming Phoenix Coyotes’ ownership.

He has appeared in commercials with the team and made it clear he wasn’t happy when trade rumors began swirling around Coyote star Keith Tkachuk.

But until the $87-million purchase is completed by majority investor Steve Ellman, one thing has been made clear--Gretzky isn’t in charge just yet.

On Thursday, Gretzky flew to Phoenix from his California home to watch as the Coyotes lost, 1-0, to the Kings, but was told by the current team ownership that he and Ellman wouldn’t be allowed into the team’s locker room.

“I respectfully reminded them that there was not going to be any publicity of any sort here, that the season is about to start and that it was not appropriate,” Coyote owner Richard Burke said from his Minnesota home.

“That’s not personal to Wayne. The locker room is a place for coaches, not owners and prospective owners.”

Burke said that even he was not in the locker room. He also denied reports that Gretzky attempted to gain access to the locker room after the game and was refused.

Burke said he had agreed to honor a request that Gretzky’s son, Ty, celebrate his birthday by being a stick boy for the club. However, the agreement came with the stipulation that Gretzky not appear in the dressing room to avoid creating “a media circus.” Ty Gretzky ended up not making the trip to Phoenix.

“It started as a positive--that we complied with a request to provide Wayne’s son with something for his 11th birthday,” Burke said. “How and why it turned into someone going to the press when it doesn’t work for them, I have no idea. They do not need this.”

Messages left by the Associated Press with Gretzky and his agent were not returned Friday.

“I respect their decision not to let us be around the team, but I’m a little disappointed,” Gretzky told the Arizona Republic from his home in Thousand Oaks.

“We’ve put money into their project. I’ve put my own money into this project. And more important, people are asking why I’m not around the team.

“We’re not trying to create any controversy. All we’re saying is, ‘Listen, the reason we’re not around the team is because some people don’t want us around the team.’ ”

So far, Ellman has paid a nonrefundable $16.5 million toward the $87-million price to buy the team. He has until Dec. 31 to complete the purchase.

Once the deal is complete, Gretzky will be in charge of all hockey operations.

The purchase will keep the team in Arizona and also help ensure the success of a $550-million sports and entertainment complex Ellman is building to replace a defunct shopping mall.