The NHL lost its most appealing and well-known personality during the years Wayne Gretzky deliberately avoided aligning with the league or a team following his 2009 resignation as coach of the then-Phoenix Coyotes. With fences since mended on both sides, the NHL and hockey fans are gaining a lot from his return.

Gretzky, who agreed to be an ambassador for the NHL’s centennial celebrations and went back to his Edmonton roots when he became partner and vice chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group, appeared at news conference Thursday at the L.A. Auto Show to help Honda announce its title sponsorship of the 2017 NHL All-Star game. Gretzky also unveiled the Ridgeline truck that will be presented to the most valuable player in the game, which will be played Jan. 29 at Staples Center.

The truck will be on display all week at the Auto Show. Gretzky will be back in Los Angeles to participate in some of the activities planned for All-Star weekend, including the league’s announcement of the top 100 players of its first 100 years. It will be no surprise if No. 99 is No. 1 on that list.

“It’s good to be back. It’s so nice to be part of the NHL again and, you know, I really wasn’t gone anywhere,” said Gretzky, who planned to attend the Oilers’ game against the Kings at Staples Center Thursday night. “It’s just now I have more of an official role and capacity with the Oilers and of course with the league.

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