Gretzky Stresses Creativity

NHL great says emphasis on systems
stifles development of young players
JAMES CHRISTIE

Tuesday, October 24, 2000
TORONTO -- Wayne Gretzky says that if he were trying to come up through the minor hockey system today, "I probably wouldn't have made it."
Gretzky, who rewrote hockey's record books and redesigned the way the game is played with his quickness and play behind the net, said yesterday that there is too much emphasis on "systems" and not enough on creativity. It's stifling, Gretzky said.

"Very few Jean Béliveaus or Paul Coffeys come through the ranks now because we're taught so many systems and so much discipline at a young age that we've taken away a lot of creativity.

"Up to a certain age, kids should just be let out to play pond hockey. Skate and be creative with the puck," Gretzky said at a news conference to launch a new Internet site for minor-hockey coaches.

Gretzky, wearing his hat as adviser to the Canadian Hockey Association, was at the Hockey Hall of Fame to unveil the resource Web site: http://www.coachesclub.net.
The site will include a databank of drills for coaches, video clips, an interactive mode to share coaching ideas with others and a question-answer page to seek knowledge from pros and experts.
Sponsored by Proctor & Gamble's coffee brand Folger's, it is part of the CHA's Play Right program to improve hockey development. The CHA collects a fee of $44.95 for unlimited access to the site.

"Every parent thinks their kid will make it to the NHL. That's not going to happen, but it puts a lot of pressure on these volunteer coaches. This may help with communication between parents and coaches," Gretzky said.

"I was lucky because my dad coached me a lot and let me be creative. But he could have used this."
There are 560,000 registered players and more than 75,000 volunteer coaches in minor hockey in Canada. CHA president Bob Nicholson said the site would benefit coaches from novice to junior levels.
Gretzky ended his career after the 1998-99 season and is involved with developer Steve Ellman in the purchase of the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes. He didn't hide his disappointment at the fact his former agent Michael Barnett isn't going into hockey management with him.

"A lot of people anticipated we'd move forward in the same direction," Gretzky said. "I had hoped and wished he'd come with me. . . . At this point in time, all we can do is to try and get this thing [the purchase] put to bed and closed."

Gretzky has expressed an interest in possibly managing Canada's 2002 Olympic team for Salt Lake City. Each country must put forward by May 1 the names of eight players for its roster. Gretzky will take part in meetings beginning in mid-November to begin the process of identifying Canada's eight core players.

"It's pretty easy to name eight guys," Gretzky said. "What happens is after that the makeup of the team has a lot to do with the coach. The next 12 or 13 guys are the key decisions."