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Gretzky has largely remained in the hockey shadows in recent
years and played no official role in the NHL since 2009, when he
was a minority owner, coach and head of hockey operations with
the Phoenix Coyotes.
The Great One's relationship with the NHL was left strained when
the league purchased the team out of bankruptcy and squabbled
with Gretzky over compensation.
The NHL’s all-time leading scorer, Gretzky will be front and
center as the NHL celebrates its 100th anniversary with a number
of events starting with the Centennial Classic, an outdoor game
that will be staged in Toronto on Jan. 1 between the Maple Leafs
and Detroit Red Wings.
"I’ve always said this thousands of times: it’s the greatest
game in the world," said Gretzky, speaking to reporters ahead of
Game One of the best-of-three World Cup final between Canada and
Team Europe.
"Everything I have in my life is because of the National Hockey
League and the game of hockey.
"So when the commissioner called me a couple months ago and
asked me if I wanted to be involved I said, 'Absolutely.'"
The celebrations will bridge two seasons, 2016-2017 and 2017-18,
culminating with special events around the anniversary of the
league's founding on Nov. 26, 2017 and first games on Dec. 19.
While all plans have not been finalised, Gretzky will also lend
his presence to the Winter Classic set for St. Louis on Jan. 2
and the All-Star weekend in Los Angeles from Jan. 25-27 where
the 100 greatest players of all-time will be unveiled.
It would have been almost impossible to celebrate 100 years of
NHL without Gretzky, who is widely regarded as the best player
to ever lace up a pair of skates.
The Great One was a nine-times Hart trophy winner as the NHL's
most valuable player.
He retired in 1999, ending his career after 20 record smashing
seasons with most of the league scoring records which he still
owns, including most goals (894), assists (1,963) and points
(2,857).
His number 99 is first and only jersey to be retired by the
league.
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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