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Wayne Gretzky joins group trying to bring NHL team to Seattle

By Josh Hill

Jun 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings former player Wayne Gretzky waves to the crowd after the ceremonial puck drop before game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 4, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings former player Wayne Gretzky waves to the crowd after the ceremonial puck drop before game one of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final against the New York Rangers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The NHL is a sport on the rise once again as it looks like the game has shed it’s old skin and is now experiencing a resurgence in popularity that we saw the league reach heights close to that we saw in the 90s this past season. It’s still not a nationally embraced sport, but having New York and Los Angeles franchises in the Stanley Cup really helped the appeal of hockey.

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Adding more teams in more markets might help hockey awareness as well and that’s why it appears there is a renewed push to try and get a hockey franchise in the city of Seattle. The New York Post reports that former Oilers, Kings and Rangers great Wayne Gretzky has joined an investor group looking to bring an NHL team to the pacific northwest — specifically Seattle.

"Wayne Gretzky has joined a group of investors hoping to bring a National Hockey League team to Seattle, The Post has learned.The Gretzky group is one of three looking to bring an NHL franchise to the home of Starbucks, sources said — but each faces an uphill battle in that league Commissioner Gary Bettman has not said the league is ready to expand."

Not everything Gretzky touches turns to hockey gold, as we can’t forget about his failure with the Phoenix Coyotes as a head coach. Still, he’s the Michael Jordan of the NHL and his name being added to the push for a team in Seattle means a lot for the cause.

Seattle is a booming city once again and with the Seahawks sitting as Super Bowl champions and a similar push to get the SuperSonics back in the NBA, Seattle might end up turning into a sports super-city in the next few years.

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