GRETZKY'S DAYS AS NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST END IN CANADA

          Wayne Gretzky is no longer writing his weekly column
     for the National Post, according to William Houston of the
     Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, who reports that a "provision that
     allowed either side to walk if Gretzky became" an NHL owner
     has been exercised since Gretzky is involved with a group
     trying to acquire the Coyotes.  Houston cites one source
     saying the column, ghost written by Roy MacGregor, "helped
     launch the newspaper, but it became a pain in the neck. 
     Gretzky would call in from the golf course to make changes.
     It took a lot of MacGregor's time."  Houston added that
     Gretzky "refused to tackle the tough issues."  The source:
     "He wasn't even going to write about Marty McSorley ...
     until it was impressed upon him he needed to discuss the No.
     1 hockey story of the season" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/20).