Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet has been accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring. According to the criminal complaint against Tocchet, the former NHL star is accused of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
According to state police officer Colonel Rick Fuentes, the New Jersey-based ring took in more than $1.7 million for bets on college and professional sports, mostly football and basketball.
According to the complaint, six NHL players placed bets with the ring although none of them have been accused of betting on hockey. The six players have not been identified at this time.
Tocchet and state police Trooper James J. Harney were allegedly partners in the ring with Tocchet providing financial backing.
'Tocchet received illegal sports bets from wagers and funneled money back to New Jersey,' Fuentes said.
Early Tuesday morning, Tocchet held a brief news conference to discuss the matter. He told reporters, 'I got a summons the other day about (it). It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further.'
The Coyotes assistant did admit that the officer arrested in connection with the gambling ring is a friend of his but would comment no further.
Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky said he expected Tocchet would be behind the bench for the team's next game Tuesday night.
'Everyone in the world is innocent until proven guilty,' Gretzky said. 'He's a great guy and a good friend. He's just going through a tough time right now, obviously, and we've got to let it run its course. It's a situation that's obviously a concern for the organization at this point.'
According to police officials, the ring involves additional big named celebrities and athletes who are not being identified publicly at this time. The investigation is ongoing.
In his NHL career, Tocchet appeared in 1,144 games, scoring 440 goals, 512 assists, 952 points and 2,972 penalty minutes. He was a member of the Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992. In addition to Pittsburgh, Tocchet also played for Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and Phoenix.
He began his career as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche in 2003 before joining the Coyotes staff this year. When Wayne Gretzky took a leave of absence to be with his gravely ill mother, Tocchet took over behind the Phoenix bench.
Now, it appears Tocchet has more on his mind than just hockey.
