Gretzky, 49, spent the past five years with the Boston Bruins, where he worked with Chiarelli and most recently was their director of amateur scouting. He also spent time with the Arizona Coyotes scouting staff before joining the Bruins.
"I think [Peter] respected what I did, and I worked for him for a few years in Boston and the opportunity came along, and he called and asked for permission and the Bruins were gracious enough to give it to him," Gretzky said.
Gretzky said he was grateful to Bruins president Cam Neely and general manager Don Sweeney for allowing him to pursue the job.
"I know it was hard for [Boston] and I explained to them that it was a dream-job type of thing and it doesn't come around too often, and especially being the Oilers and getting to be part of a team like that with the tradition they have, and I was really, really fortunate Boston was respectful and classy enough to give me this opportunity to talk to Peter," Gretzky said.
Wayne Gretzky, 55, won the Stanley Cup four times with Edmonton.
Also Tuesday, Kelly Buchberger was named Oilers vice president of player development, and Duane Sutter was promoted to vice president of player personnel. Buchberger played 18 seasons in the NHL, 12 for Edmonton. Sutter won the Stanley Cup four times with the New York Islanders and coached the Florida Panthers for parts of two seasons.
Senior vice president of player personnel and former Columbus Blue Jackets GM Scott Howson left the Oilers to explore new opportunities.
"I'm going to go see our prospects in our American [Hockey] League team in Bakersfield, get to know what we have there, also spend time in Edmonton and get to know everybody," Gretzky said. "I'll look after the scouting department, pro and amateur, and also get to see the top 40 kids in the draft."
NHL.com Correspondent Derek Van Diest contributed to this report.
