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  • Gretskys Wife/NHL Players involved in gambling?

    GLENDALE, Ariz. - Wayne Gretzky's wife and about a half-dozen NHL players placed bets - but not on hockey - with a nationwide sports gambling ring financed by Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, authorities said Tuesday.

    At the request of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Tocchet did not attend the Coyotes' game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. In a statement, the Coyotes said Tocchet "was flying back East this evening to address the allegations in a meeting with Bettman."

    Gretzky, hockey's greatest player, is in his first season coaching the Coyotes and is a part-owner of the team.

    Actress-wife Janet Jones was among those implicated, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because no bettors have been publicly identified.

    Asked about her involvement, Gretzky laughed and said, "Oh really? I don't know. You'd have to ask her that."

    State police Col. Rick Fuentes said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball.

    The developments came at a sensitive time for the NHL, which is trying to win back fans after a season-long lockout and just days before many of its best players will showcase their talent at the Turin Olympics.

    Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel to New Jersey to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, Fuentes said.

    A criminal complaint informs Tocchet of authorities' intention to formally charge him and the need for him to arrange to travel to New Jersey for formal charging, or face arrest.

    "It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further," Tocchet said after the Coyotes practiced earlier Tuesday.

    Gretzky had said Tocchet would be on the bench for Tuesday night's home game against Chicago, and it would be "business as usual." But Bettman changed that plan.

    "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."

    Tocchet acknowledged that a New Jersey state trooper arrested in connection with the gambling ring case is his friend. Tocchet said he would cooperate with the investigation but didn't answer when asked if he'd surrender to authorities.

    "We understand that Mr. Tocchet's conduct in no way involved betting on hockey," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "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."

    Daly said the NHL was conducting its own internal investigation.

    Authorities said Tocchet and state police Trooper James Harney were partners in the operation, with the ex-NHL forward providing the financing.

    "Tocchet received illegal sports bets from wagers and funneled money back to New Jersey," Fuentes 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 with his dying mother.

    The 41-year-old Tocchet played 18 years with six teams, including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997-00. He is one of only four players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.

    Tocchet was a fan favorite during his two stints with the Flyers (1984-92, 2000-02). Flyers star center Peter Forsberg on Tuesday described Tocchet as "a good guy, a funny guy."

    "I think everybody is surprised," Forsberg said. "It's definitely not good for the sport to hear something like that."

    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 Ulmer, 40, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

    Both men were free after posting 10 percent of their bail. Harney had $100,000 bail; Ulmer had $50,000 bail. The two men were expected to be arraigned in state Superior Court in Burlington County within two weeks.

    Craig Mitnick, a lawyer representing Harney, said his client hadn't decided whether to contest the charges in court.

    The police investigation into the ring started in October 2005 after authorities received a tip on Harney's sports wagering from his Marlton home, and taking phone calls during his patrol job based out of the agency's Moorestown station, Fuentes said.

    Fuentes did not disclose the bettors' names and said charges against more individuals were possible. He described one of them as a "movie celebrity."

    The gambling ring had a connection with organized crime in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, Fuentes said.

    Starting Monday night, authorities seized property from Harney and Ulmer. State police seized $27,000 in currency, "voluminous" amounts of sports betting information and bank accounts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, Fuentes said.

    A search of Harney's house recovered more than $250,000 worth of Rolex watches and nine plasma-screen televisions, including two from his bathroom.

    In 1,144 NHL regular-season games, Tocchet had 440 goals, 512 assists and 2,972 penalty minutes with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington and Phoenix. Tocchet won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1992 and appeared in the Stanley Cup finals with Philadelphia in 1987. He appeared in four NHL All-Star Games: 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1993.

    The NHL veteran was also hired by the Colorado Avalanche as an assistant coach in 2003.

    ---
    "The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice.

  • #2
    I'm not that surprised...
    FUCK YOU, FUCK ME

    Comment


    • #3
      I agree, and it goes to show if you are a Player or associated some how with a major league team you should not be gambling.


      Sincerely,

      Pete Rose
      Last edited by The Lovedoc; 02-07-2006, 10:47 PM.

      Comment


      • #4
        I would bet he made more money book games than he did playing hockey.

        Comment


        • #5
          brady,

          i agree. And i also bet games were fixed as well. if anyone thinks that this is just about taking bets and betting football and hoops your sadly mistaken.
          2013 NCAA POD Record

          8-3ATS +3.80 units

          2013 NFL POD Record

          1-2 ATS -4.50 units

          Comment


          • #6
            At what level do we really think players are not exposed to gambling in some form. A little call here or there to a buddy to furnish some pre-game news of what strategy is going to be used or what player may be out for disciplinary or injury during warmups prior to a game.
            "The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice.

            Comment


            • #7
              Did you see how red in the face he got.. The whole world is CROOKED!

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Spearit
                At what level do we really think players are not exposed to gambling in some form. A little call here or there to a buddy to furnish some pre-game news of what strategy is going to be used or what player may be out for disciplinary or injury during warmups prior to a game.
                Spearit,

                I agree 1 MILLION PERCENT. So many keep saying, 'well, they don't need the money', but I don't think they are thinking about family, friends, buds, hookers, whomever they may feel sorry for or that they could help out w/o anyone knowing.

                It's all around them & us...
                FUCK YOU, FUCK ME

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by vinnyvegas
                  Spearit,

                  I agree 1 MILLION PERCENT. So many keep saying, 'well, they don't need the money', but I don't think they are thinking about family, friends, buds, hookers, whomever they may feel sorry for or that they could help out w/o anyone knowing.

                  It's all around them & us...
                  yeah i agree but thats not what bothers me. What bothers me is when someone is on the take. When some deliberately fails to cover a # for someone that is cheating. A player wagers gets in a hole, they can afford to pay out but why do that when they can easily for a game to go one way or the other by influence. then the bet is squashed.
                  2013 NCAA POD Record

                  8-3ATS +3.80 units

                  2013 NFL POD Record

                  1-2 ATS -4.50 units

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Wayne Gretzky's wife and about a half-dozen NHL players placed bets

                    but not on hockey ??????

                    Don't believe for one second that they didn't bet on Hockey.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      they cashed in on pittburgh

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        ESPN stated that betting from NHL or this particular Coach T has been under surveillance for years? Whats this shit all about? Honestly - this could be the tip of the iceberg on what is really going on. Organized crime is taking over international soccer in my opinion and OC is aware of the money flying into offshore accounts where the US has little to say about it. This interest in gambling is stirring up a big pot of stew and the whole meal is going to blow right out of the kettle soon enuff. Refs on take- players- coaches- hugh business. This is just the beginning on sports betting as an untaxed venture. US govt. is going to want a piece of the pie eventually -- to help themselves out of a big deficit.
                        "The range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice.

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Spearit
                          ESPN stated that betting from NHL or this particular Coach T has been under surveillance for years? Whats this shit all about? Honestly - this could be the tip of the iceberg on what is really going on. Organized crime is taking over international soccer in my opinion and OC is aware of the money flying into offshore accounts where the US has little to say about it. This interest in gambling is stirring up a big pot of stew and the whole meal is going to blow right out of the kettle soon enuff. Refs on take- players- coaches- hugh business. This is just the beginning on sports betting as an untaxed venture. US govt. is going to want a piece of the pie eventually -- to help themselves out of a big deficit.
                          exactly i've been saying this for years. Its a Billion with a B dollar business. There is no way no how all these games are legit. Again, i'm not saying ever game is fixed. But i'd be willing to say that atleast 1 game every single night has a predetermined outcome.
                          2013 NCAA POD Record

                          8-3ATS +3.80 units

                          2013 NFL POD Record

                          1-2 ATS -4.50 units

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by 10DimeBry
                            exactly i've been saying this for years. Its a Billion with a B dollar business. There is no way no how all these games are legit. Again, i'm not saying ever game is fixed. But i'd be willing to say that atleast 1 game every single night has a predetermined outcome.
                            Let's just hope we are on the right side of that game 10dime!!!
                            FUCK YOU, FUCK ME

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by 10DimeBry
                              exactly i've been saying this for years. Its a Billion with a B dollar business. There is no way no how all these games are legit. Again, i'm not saying ever game is fixed. But i'd be willing to say that atleast 1 game every single night has a predetermined outcome.
                              i totally agree with u dime i have been saying this for years vegas i think plays a big part in how a games is played out,maoney talks,think aboout it if u were in some players shoes and someone apporch ya,named GUITO and told the player i will give u a 100,oo grand to throw a game what would u do???i think its very obviuos what i would do,but u really have to respect gretzys wife I LOVE A CHICK THAT LIKES TO GAMBLE ON SPORTS AND A GOOD LOOKING ONE AT THAT OH BABBY
                              GETER DONE PEACE
                              U GOT A HUNCH BET A BUNCH
                              THINK LONG THINK WRONG

                              ROLLLLLLLLLL TIDEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
                              BAMA BAMA BAMA

                              Comment

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