Ex-Flyer Tocchet Charged in Gambling Ring

[eleven24]

Source: Associated Press

EWING, N.J. - New Jersey authorities said today they had busted a nationwide sports gambling ring financed by an NHL coach and run in part by a state police trooper..

Phoenix Coyotes associate coach Rick Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint yesterday evening and was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, said state police Col. Rick Fuentes.

Fuentes said over a 40-day period an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and collegiate sports, mostly football and baseball. About a dozen current NHL players placed wagers, said Fuentes, who declined to identify them.
Authorities said state police Trooper James J. Harney and Tocchet were partners in the operation, with the former Flyers forward providing the financing.
Harney, 40, of Marlton, was arrested yesterday. 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 , of Swedesboro, who was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

Both men were free on bail. They are expected to be arraigned within two weeks in state Superior Court. A message left with the Coyotes' media office in Arizona was not immediately returned today.

Tocchet, 41, played 18 years with six different teams including three seasons with the Coyotes from 1997 to 2000. He is one of only two players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes during his career

[dutch74]

I feel this deep sense of pride welling up inside of me.

[Tocchet22]

I though gambling was legal in the NHL if it is with other sports and not betting on NHL games. They said on ESPN news it was Football and Basetball

[eleven24]

Gambling is legal - at licensed casinos. Tocchet is accused of funding an illegal gambling ring with ties to organized crime.

Someone call T. Or Paulie Walnuts. Toc is in trouble.

[tmcc]

I heard Roenick and Recchi's names thrown out there too. Also, supposedly a dozen NHL players were placing bets. Didn't mention if they're current or former players, though.

[Andy]

Originally posted by tmcc
I heard Roenick and Recchi's names thrown out there too. Also, supposedly a dozen NHL players were placing bets. Didn't mention if they're current or former players, though.

Somehow they're all related to the Flyers organization.

I bet Hexy's involved too.

[sekkes85]

Gretzky's wife is in that lot too.... maybe shes putting in bets for gretzky..? hmm interesting

[Jlg-28]

as long as we dont have another Pete Rose on our hands , but still pretty bad when anyone gets caught up in trouble ,

[Andy]

I havn't heard anything lately, any new updates?