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Report: Wayne Gretzky discusses bringing NHL to Seattle area

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky watches the Los Angeles Kings play the Tampa Bay Lightning during an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Nov. 4, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

AP

Wayne Gretzky helped grow hockey in California, so why not spread the NHL to the Seattle area?

Radio host Dave “Softy” Mahler reports that Gretzky visited Bellevue, Wash., to discuss the possibility of bringing a team “to the area.”

My Northwest’s staff discusses how Gretzky’s talks with Bellevue officials might factor into - or represent competition for - Chris Hansen’s efforts to build an NBA-ready arena in Seattle.

Still, Hansen’s arena plan has been designed specifically for Seattle’s SoDo district. Some in Bellevue have pushed for the NBA/NHL facility to be located on the Eastside. Until now, investors haven’t appeared to seriously approach Bellevue.

The Seattle Times reports that voting for “an $80 million piece” of the proposal could take place on Monday in King County despite a perceived lack of information.

It’s unclear if Gretzky’s interest could be part of a Plan B for the area, part of that overall idea or merely a curious stirring of the pot at this point.