There’s no Great escape

TURIN, Italy – Wayne Gretzky said he didn’t do it. Again.

He said his troubles won’t affect Canada’s supposedly good-as-gold Olympic hockey team. Repeating himself there, too.

Gretzky arrived at the Olympics with Team Canada on Tuesday, recapping what he’s said for days but is vowing not to talk about anymore – that he placed no wagers with a betting ring allegedly run by one of his best friends and possibly patronized by his wife.

“As I said seven days ago, it doesn’t involve me,” Gretzky said. “I’ve said it for seven days, it’s over and done with.”

But where he said it – at the Olympic Games – was different.

So was the size of the audience. His press conference was televised live throughout Canada, where the NHL’s all-time leading scorer – The Great One – is a trusted, respected cultural icon.

Now, like it or not, Gretzky understands his problems could immerse others should Canada not live up to its immense expectations in a tournament it won in 2002 and is expected to win again.

“If we don’t win the gold medal, obviously I’ll get blamed, but I’ve been blamed for losses before. It’s not going to change my life,” said Gretzky, who as Canada’s executive director is effectively the team’s general manager.

No matter what happens, the Phoenix Coyotes coach said he won’t discuss again at Turin the gambling ring alleged to be run by one of assistant coaches and longtime friends, Rick Tocchet.

“Quite frankly, this is the last time I’m going to talk about it,” said Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time scoring leader. “I’ve stood forward each and every day, and I’ll talk hockey all day long, take any questions about the hockey team or the Olympic Games. But, quite frankly, it’s over and done with.”

Gretzky was accompanied to Turin by wife Janet Jones, who is alleged to have placed bets with the gambling ring. Also making the trip was Gretzky’s father, Walter, who darted around the press conference room looking for a good vantage point.

Not that the elder Gretzky heard anything different – Gretzky repeated much of what he said at a pre-Olympics news conference Monday in suburban Toronto.

There, Gretzky repeated he did not place any wagers with any betting ring and there was no reason for him to leave his job with the Olympic team. Canada’s players have fully supported him, and several said the investigation will not be a distraction as they try to repeat as gold medalists.

“We’re thinking about what athletes have to think about, and focus on the job at hand,” Canada coach Pat Quinn said. “They have to put things aside, and whatever that distraction may be, that’s exactly what they expect of themselves and we’re all going to move forward.”