Thanks, I did try this once or twice previously. I actually reset my Xbox (without deleting installed games) without any luck. Later uninstalled and reinstalled NHL 23 -- same error.
I created a new Gamertag and EA Account on my Xbox. Since it is my home Xbox, my main account shared Gold & access to NHL 23 to the new account. Using the new Gamertag and EA Account, I was able to load into WOC normally on the console in question. My Level 1 default everything skater showed up in the menu as normal and I was free to play any WOC mode.
I switched back to my 'real' account which is Prestige 4, Level 33. I got the same error I have been getting for 24 hours and kicked back to the main NHL 23 menu when trying to load into WOC.
Since I can access WOC from the same console using a different account, and I can access every online and offline mode except WOC using my "real" account, it really seems to me like I've done something customization wise and/or WOC gear related that is causing the issue. As we all know, your skater skates up in the WOC menu first thing when you get into the mode. I seem to get the "Failed to retrieve inventory" error right before my skater would normally appear, then I'm kicked to the main menu.
Unfortunately, I can't edit my customization at all like another user in this thread because I can't get into the mode period. Here is a short vid of the error: https://gamerdvr.com/gamer/the-snake-esq/video/171321847
I have a ticket/case opened with EA Help and the agent Dan seemed pretty knowledgeable of the NHL series. He advised he was flagging the issue with "Community" and the "Game Team" so I am hoping somehow this gets resolved on EA's end. @EA_Aljo if you have any other thoughts or means to resolve/escalate, please let me know. I can certainly survive without WOC but I did miss out on club playoffs last night and it's frustrating to be going on 24 hours unable to access the only mode I play in NHL 23 and paid $60 for back in October. Thanks for any help.