[bigboydan]

i wonder how the team is gonna react to Rick Tocchet's style of coaching.

December 17, 2005, 9:11 PM EST

LOS ANGELES -- Wayne Gretzky took an indefinite leave as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday night to return to Canada to be with his mother, who has lung cancer.

Gretzky left the team before the Coyotes played the Kings in Los Angeles and went to Ontario, where he grew up and his parents still live.

"We respect and support Wayne's decision," Coyotes general manager Michael Barnett said in a statement. "Family has always come first to the Gretzkys, as it should. The thoughts and prayers of the Phoenix Coyotes organization, and most surely, those of the entire hockey world, are with Wayne and the Gretzky family at this most difficult time."

Associate coach Rick Tocchet assumed head coaching duties until Gretzky returns.

In his first season as coach, Gretzky -- also the Coyotes' managing partner -- has led Phoenix to a 16-14-2 record. The Coyotes are tied for third place in the Pacific Division.

Gretzky, the NHL's career leading scorer, also serves as the executive director of Team Canada, which is expected to announce its Olympic roster next Wednesday.