Associated Press
2/7/2006 3:35:07 PM
EWING, N.J. (AP-CP) - Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet is accused of financing a U.S. sports gambling ring in which about a half-dozen current NHL players placed bets - but not on hockey - authorities said Tuesday.
New Jersey state police dubbed the investigation Operation Slap Shot.
Tocchet, a former NHL star, was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, state police Col. Rick Fuentes said.
Police said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million US, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball, over 40 days in a ''highly organized sport betting system.'' Fuentes declined to identify the NHL players who made the wagers, but said none bet on hockey.
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A person described as a ''movie celebrity'' also has been interviewed in the investigation, Fuentes said.
''Many of the (betting) ring's clientele included past and present professional athletes and celebrities who are being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,'' New Jersey state police said in a release under the headline: ''Operation Slap Shot Uncovers NHL Link.''
Tocchet said he would co-operate with the authorities but refused other comment.
''I feel bad for the Coyotes and stuff like that, but like I said, it's not a hockey-related issue and that's all I can comment,'' he told reporters after practice in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky said Tocchet would be behind the bench for Tuesday night's game against visiting Chicago.
''Obviously we're concerned and obviously we feel bad,'' Gretzky told reporters in Phoenix.
''Everyone in the world is innocent until proven guilty . . .'' he added. ''He's a great guy and he's a good friend. He's just going through a tough time right now. Obviously we've got to let it run its course.''
The news comes one week before Gretzky takes take the Canadian Olympic team to Turin for the Winter Games.
Authorities allege Tocchet and state police Trooper James J. Harney were partners in the operation, and that the ex-NHL forward provided the financing.
The NHL issued a statement Tuesday, saying it was monitoring the case.
''We have just become aware of the allegations against Mr. Tocchet and the possible involvement of some unnamed players,'' NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
''While we know little more than has been released publicly, we understand that Mr. Tocchet's conduct in no way involved betting on hockey. And, while betting on football or other sports may be the pervasive issue, it in no way justifies poor judgment or otherwise alleged inappropriate conduct.
''With respect to the alleged conduct of the unnamed players, it is difficult to have any comment at this point, although everything we have heard, again, indicates it is not hockey-related.''
The NHL policy on gambling is ''no betting on hockey,'' a league spokesman said.
Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes' staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Gretzky was away to be with his dying mother.
Tocchet, 41, played 18 years with six NHL teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997 to 2000. He spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, from 1984 to 1992 and again in 2001-02. He is one of only two players in NHL history to record 400 career goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.
A native of Toronto, Tocchet was a junior star in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., before being drafted by Philadelphia 125th overall in 1983.
Harney, 40, was arrested Monday and has been suspended from the force. The eight-year police veteran was charged in an arrest warrant with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Another man accused of taking bets is James A. Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Both men were free after posting 10 per cent of their bail. Harney had $100,000 bail; Ulmer had $50,000 bail. The two men are expected to be arraigned in state Superior Court in Burlington County within two weeks.
The state police investigation into the ring started in October 2005 after authorities received a tip. A trooper acting undercover was used to place bets, Fuentes said.
Fuentes said the hockey players bet on football and basketball games, not hockey.
The gambling ring had a connection with organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, he said.
Charges against more individuals are possible, Fuentes added.
2/7/2006 3:35:07 PM
EWING, N.J. (AP-CP) - Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet is accused of financing a U.S. sports gambling ring in which about a half-dozen current NHL players placed bets - but not on hockey - authorities said Tuesday.
New Jersey state police dubbed the investigation Operation Slap Shot.
Tocchet, a former NHL star, was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, state police Col. Rick Fuentes said.
Police said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million US, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball, over 40 days in a ''highly organized sport betting system.'' Fuentes declined to identify the NHL players who made the wagers, but said none bet on hockey.
Related Info
Investigation could be NHL's worst nightmare
A person described as a ''movie celebrity'' also has been interviewed in the investigation, Fuentes said.
''Many of the (betting) ring's clientele included past and present professional athletes and celebrities who are being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation,'' New Jersey state police said in a release under the headline: ''Operation Slap Shot Uncovers NHL Link.''
Tocchet said he would co-operate with the authorities but refused other comment.
''I feel bad for the Coyotes and stuff like that, but like I said, it's not a hockey-related issue and that's all I can comment,'' he told reporters after practice in Phoenix on Tuesday.
Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky said Tocchet would be behind the bench for Tuesday night's game against visiting Chicago.
''Obviously we're concerned and obviously we feel bad,'' Gretzky told reporters in Phoenix.
''Everyone in the world is innocent until proven guilty . . .'' he added. ''He's a great guy and he's a good friend. He's just going through a tough time right now. Obviously we've got to let it run its course.''
The news comes one week before Gretzky takes take the Canadian Olympic team to Turin for the Winter Games.
Authorities allege Tocchet and state police Trooper James J. Harney were partners in the operation, and that the ex-NHL forward provided the financing.
The NHL issued a statement Tuesday, saying it was monitoring the case.
''We have just become aware of the allegations against Mr. Tocchet and the possible involvement of some unnamed players,'' NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said.
''While we know little more than has been released publicly, we understand that Mr. Tocchet's conduct in no way involved betting on hockey. And, while betting on football or other sports may be the pervasive issue, it in no way justifies poor judgment or otherwise alleged inappropriate conduct.
''With respect to the alleged conduct of the unnamed players, it is difficult to have any comment at this point, although everything we have heard, again, indicates it is not hockey-related.''
The NHL policy on gambling is ''no betting on hockey,'' a league spokesman said.
Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes' staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Gretzky was away to be with his dying mother.
Tocchet, 41, played 18 years with six NHL teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997 to 2000. He spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Flyers, from 1984 to 1992 and again in 2001-02. He is one of only two players in NHL history to record 400 career goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.
A native of Toronto, Tocchet was a junior star in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., before being drafted by Philadelphia 125th overall in 1983.
Harney, 40, was arrested Monday and has been suspended from the force. The eight-year police veteran was charged in an arrest warrant with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Another man accused of taking bets is James A. Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
Both men were free after posting 10 per cent of their bail. Harney had $100,000 bail; Ulmer had $50,000 bail. The two men are expected to be arraigned in state Superior Court in Burlington County within two weeks.
The state police investigation into the ring started in October 2005 after authorities received a tip. A trooper acting undercover was used to place bets, Fuentes said.
Fuentes said the hockey players bet on football and basketball games, not hockey.
The gambling ring had a connection with organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, he said.
Charges against more individuals are possible, Fuentes added.
