from Mike Johnston of Sportsnet,

The next chapter of Wayne Gretzky’s life will see the hockey legend join the TNT broadcast team as an analyst for the 2021-22 NHL season – an opportunity that may not have come together without some encouragement from an NBA legend, popular TNT commentator and longtime friend of The Great One.

“Charles Barkley is a good friend and he called me every single day and said, ‘This will be fun for you,’ and ultimately I decided OK this this something I gotta try and I’m really looking forward to it,” Gretzky told Hockey Central during a Friday appearance on Sportsnet 590 The Fan.

The 60-year-old resigned from his role as vice-chairman of the Edmonton Oilers in May prior to officially joining TNT after Turner Sports became a partial rightsholder for U.S.-based NHL broadcasts.

Gretzky explained that shortly after his father, Walter Gretzky, died in March he and his wife, Janet, reassessed their living situation now that each of their five children are college aged or older.

They decided to move from California to Missouri to be closer to Janet’s soon-to-be 100-year-old mother and other members of their family.

continued