MISSISSAUGA, Ontario (AP) – With a fixed smile on his face, Wayne Gretzky stepped from behind a black curtain that hid the hockey rink behind him and said, “Wow.”

The row of two-dozen microphones and an expansive four- and five-deep ring of reporters and cameramen seemed to overwhelm even The Great One.

Then again, it’s not often that a hockey icon and Hall of Famer of Gretzky’s stature is linked to a gambling investigation that has shaken the entire sport.

Despite repeated attempts to sidestep the scandal and focus on his role as executive director of the Canadian Olympic team, Gretzky couldn’t escape the questions before traveling with his team to the Turin Games on Monday.

“There’s no story about me, that’s what I keep trying to tell you. I’m not involved,” Gretzky said. “It’s been a hard week for my family and the only focus I have right now is this hockey team.”

This was Gretzky’s final media availability before he left for Turin, and it was also his first public appearance in his native Canada since New Jersey authorities last week announced charges against a gambling ring with links to the NHL.

Among those charged are Rick Tocchet, a Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach under Gretzky, who is the franchise’s managing partner and in his first year as head coach.

And Tocchet, whom authorities say financed the ring, allegedly took bets from Gretzky’s wife, Janet Jones.

In denying any involvement of the betting ring, Gretzky also shrugged off concerns that his presence at the Olympics might cause a distraction to his team seeking to defend its gold-medal title.

Distraction or not, Gretzky spoke for just 4 minutes at a suburban-Toronto arena before the news conference was cut off by a Hockey Canada official after Gretzky was asked how the scandal might affect the integrity of the game.

“That’s not for me to talk about,” Gretzky said.

Prior to that, Gretzky’s shoulders sagged at one point, and he reacted with a nervous laugh a couple of times.

Growing weary by the line of questioning, Gretzky also chided reporters when asked how he’s able to keep his focus.

Gretzky responded: “I can keep it, it’s you guys who are having trouble. For me, it’s no problem.”

The Canadian team flew by charter from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport after practice.

Hockey Canada spokesman Andre Brin said it was his understanding that Jones was also traveling with them.

It was left up to Team Canada’s coaches and players to defend Gretzky, the person who helped put the squad together.

“We’re excited he’s coming and that he’ll be a part of that,” team captain Joe Sakic said. “I know people are trying to bring up, “What’s going on with Wayne?’ … It’s not an issue.”

Team Canada coach Pat Quinn refused to even mention the scandal when asked if it might be a distraction.

“We came here as professionals, professional athletes, like many people that deal with situations that require focus and discipline,” said Quinn, also coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“And that’s what we’re going to ask these professionals, to concentrate on what we’re going there for.”

New Jersey authorities also announced charges against a New Jersey state trooper and another New Jersey man for running a nationwide sports gambling operation. State police said wagers – primarily on professional football – exceeded $1.7 million in the five weeks leading to the Super Bowl. Tocchet is on an indefinite leave from the Coyotes.

Jones hasn’t been charged with any crime, but is expected to be subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating gambling activity, attorneys said. For Gretzky, the investigation is the latest burden in what has been a tough two-month stretch.

Gretzky’s mother, Phyllis, died of lung cancer on Dec. 19. Three weeks later, his grandmother died.

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