Gretzky took part in the Coyotes' four-week voluntary strength and conditioning camp, which included daily on-ice sessions at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona.

That prompted former Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick to tell reporters that "The Great One" was considering a return.

However, the 41-year-old Gretzky responded to widespread media speculation by issuing a statement denying the rumours.

"I am not planning on making a comeback to play in the National Hockey League with the Phoenix Coyotes," he said.

Gretzky, the leading scorer in NHL history and a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, acknowledged he participated in Coyotes' fitness camp, but said he was taking the opportunity to improve his general well-being.

Good opportunity

"I decided to take part in the camp for several reasons," Gretzky explained.

"One, I felt it was a good opportunity for me to train for my own personal well-being and take advantage of the superior instruction offered by the people at API.

"Two, I felt that the strength training would help stabilize my neck injury and possibly help prevent future surgery.

"Lastly, I thought that it would be a great opportunity for me to skate with some of our future and current Coyotes' players and have some fun."

It was Gretzky's first serious skating session in nearly three years and prompted many to predict that the 41-year-old would follow the lead of Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux, who came out of retirement during the 2000-2001 season.