Turin – Wayne Gretzky doesn’t have to worry about a gambling scandal chasing him across the ocean.
He shouldn’t lose sleep that his wife’s alleged Super Bowl wagers will overshadow Team Canada’s medal march, needn’t fret that his assistant coach’s alleged betting ring will disrupt his Olympic players’ mojo.
Why? Simple. Todd Bertuzzi’s got his back.
After Gretzky landed in Turin and watched his team practice with coffee in hand, Bertuzzi – his face blistered, scabbed and bruised from recent NHL scraps – stood up for hockey’s living icon.
“He’s basically why all of us are playing the game,” said the Vancouver Canucks forward best known in Colorado for his 2004 smack- down on the Avalanche’s Steve Moore.
On his way to the locker room, Bertuzzi was asked if he felt protective of Gretzky as he wandered into an Italian media storm – the roughly 240 writers and 60 photo- graphers who greeted the Great One’s arrival at the ice arena.
“Absolutely,” Bertuzzi said. “It’s a guy I’ve always looked up to and respected. It’s (terrible) to see someone go through stuff like that. Especially the fact that it’s all speculation. That’s the worst thing about it. Wayne’s a character guy. I’m sure he’ll ride this one out.”
Question is, how bumpy will that ride be?
Gretzky flew in Tuesday with his team and his wife, actress Janet Jones. According to investigators in New Jersey, Jones is alleged to have placed bets with a gambling ring run by Rick Tocchet, Gretzky’s assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. After his players skated, Gretzky met up with a media horde packing a laundry list of gambling questions.
“It doesn’t involve me. I’m not involved,” said Gretzky, the architect of the Canadian men’s team. “I’ve said it for seven days. It’s over and done with. The concern is to worry about playing hockey. The concern is for these athletes, not just the hockey players. But all the other athletes who are here work their rear ends off to get to their Olympic teams. I said what I said a week ago. I’m not involved. And quite frankly, that’s the last time I’m going to talk about it. I’ll talk hockey all day long. Any questions anyone wants to ask me about the hockey team or the Olympic Games, no problems. It’s over and done with.”
More questions came, of course.
Was he concerned that the buzz over the gambling probe will cloud the accomplishments of other Canadian athletes? Yes.
Has he or will he talk to his team about the scandal? No.
Canada, the gold-medal favorite, opens its Olympic tournament schedule today, against Italy. The Americans also play today, against Latvia. Canadian captain Joe Sakic said he was glad Gretzky came to Italy, even though he lugged the distraction with him.
“He didn’t do anything wrong, as you found out,” said Sakic, an Avs star. “So we’re happy he’s here. Why wouldn’t he want to be part of that? It’s nice to see him around.”
