Gretzky returns to Coyotes' bench

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Wayne Gretzky knew his mother wanted him to skate back to work as soon as possible.

Gretzky resumed coaching the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday, presiding over a pregame skate in San Jose before a night game against the Sharks. He left his team 10 days earlier to be with Phyllis Gretzky, who died of lung cancer on Dec. 19 in Brantford, Ontario.

"It was a hard 10 days for everybody in our family," Gretzky said outside the Coyotes' locker room. "As people know who have lost a family member, it's always difficult. In saying that, first of all, I love the game, and when I wasn't here, I was missing it."

The NHL's career scoring leader was his usual calm self on the ice, chewing bubble gum and chatting with his assistant coaches while the Coyotes went through drills. After a few days in Canada and another mourning period back home in Los Angeles, Gretzky decided Tuesday that he was ready to return.

"Hockey was a big part of my mother's life, and she enjoyed being at a hockey game as much as anyone," Gretzky said.