By Kevin Allen, USA TODAY
Phoenix Coyotes associate coach Rick Tocchet's arrest on charges of financing a betting operation could prompt NHL officials to discuss whether it's time to consider a tougher stance on legalized gambling by players.
"This is not something we are taking lightly," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "Given what happened, would we revisit our policy? I would never say never."
More on the gambling probe
Tocchet on indefinite leave while NHL investigates betting ring
Probe may prompt change in NHL gambling policy
A look at other gambling scandals that have rocked the sports world
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Other sports' gambling policies
NFL: Players can't associate with gamblers or with gambling activities in a manner that brings discredit to the NFL. Penalties include a fine and up to a lifetime suspension.
NBA: Players and coaches are barred from gambling on the NBA.
Major League Baseball: It has no specific policy for betting on other sports. Rule 21 explains that betting on baseball is grounds for misconduct. "Any form of illegal gambling is problematic for baseball," said Rich Levin, senior vice president of public relations for MLB.
PGA Tour: Players can't gamble or play cards at a Tour-sponsored event. They can't associate with people whose activities, including gambling, could reflect adversely on the game.
— USA TODAY staff report
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Operation slapshot-snapshot:
A look at people charged or otherwise implicated in an alleged New Jersey-based sports gambling ring:
Rick Tocchet, associate coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. Tocchet, 41, played 18 NHL seasons between 1984 and 2002, including 11 with the Philadelphia Flyers. He's one of only four players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. He was expected to be arraigned in Superior Court in Burlington County within two weeks on charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
James Harney, 40, of Evesham Township, N.J., is an eight-year veteran of the state police. He made about $89,000 from the state in 2005. Authorities say he became friendly with Tocchet about 10 years ago when he was a bartender at a Philadelphia Holiday Inn that Tocchet frequented. After he was charged with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, he was suspended from his job. He is free on $100,000 bail.
James Ulmer, 40, of Woolwich Township, N.J., was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Authorities said he funneled wagers to Tocchet. He is free on $50,000 bail.
Janet Jones, 45, is the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. An actress, she has appeared in The Flamingo Kid' and A Chorus Line. Law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said she was one of the bettors.
— The Associated Press
The NHL has hired former federal prosecutor Robert Cleary to conduct an investigation, and his findings could influence the league's viewpoint on gambling.
According to today's standard contract, NHL players are only prohibited from betting on hockey but are allowed to make legal bets on other sports.
"It's important that we distinguish between legalized gambling and illegal gambling," Daly said. "I want to emphasize that we don't condone any form of illegal gambling. But when it comes to legalized gambling, the question is where do you draw the line? You are talking about limiting the rights of a hockey player to participate in a legal activity."
The NHL would have to negotiate with the players association. It wouldn't be easy, because there are many forms of legalized gambling beyond betting on games.
"We take this seriously," Daly said. "The pro gambling culture is something we educate our players about extensively."
The hockey world was clearly stunned by the arrest of Tocchet, plus New Jersey state trooper James Harney and James Ulmer.
"We're coming out of a lockout year, attendance is up and you're looking at a lot of hockey coverage in the Olympics, so it couldn't have come at a worse time," Nashville Predators captain Greg Johnson said. "Hopefully a lot of great hockey will help people forget about it."
Added the Detroit Red Wings' Brendan Shanahan: "It seems everything they've been talking about so far involves college football and Super Bowl betting but nothing on hockey. I think that's an important distinction."
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Harney said the charges against his client are "unsubstantiated and exaggerated."
"Trooper Harney has no intention of resigning from his position," attorney Craig R. Mitnick said in a release. "The allegations against him will be scrutinized and defended vigorously."
The New Jersey State Police released the official complaints.
Tocchet is accused of having an agreement with Harney and Ulmer "whereby the defendant participated or would participate in the proceeds of gambling activity (and the) defendant did receive approximately 594 bets amounting to approximately $1,086,100 from Dec. 29, 2005, to Feb. 5, 2006."
That's an average of about $1,828 per wager during that span.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said even though the league is conducting its own investigation it would cooperate with state police.
"While there is speculation as to which other NHL personnel may have been involved, we continue to await guidance in that regard from the New Jersey law enforcement authorities," he said.
Contributing: John Glennon
Phoenix Coyotes associate coach Rick Tocchet's arrest on charges of financing a betting operation could prompt NHL officials to discuss whether it's time to consider a tougher stance on legalized gambling by players.
"This is not something we are taking lightly," deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "Given what happened, would we revisit our policy? I would never say never."
More on the gambling probe
Tocchet on indefinite leave while NHL investigates betting ring
Probe may prompt change in NHL gambling policy
A look at other gambling scandals that have rocked the sports world
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Other sports' gambling policies
NFL: Players can't associate with gamblers or with gambling activities in a manner that brings discredit to the NFL. Penalties include a fine and up to a lifetime suspension.
NBA: Players and coaches are barred from gambling on the NBA.
Major League Baseball: It has no specific policy for betting on other sports. Rule 21 explains that betting on baseball is grounds for misconduct. "Any form of illegal gambling is problematic for baseball," said Rich Levin, senior vice president of public relations for MLB.
PGA Tour: Players can't gamble or play cards at a Tour-sponsored event. They can't associate with people whose activities, including gambling, could reflect adversely on the game.
— USA TODAY staff report
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----
Operation slapshot-snapshot:
A look at people charged or otherwise implicated in an alleged New Jersey-based sports gambling ring:
Rick Tocchet, associate coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. Tocchet, 41, played 18 NHL seasons between 1984 and 2002, including 11 with the Philadelphia Flyers. He's one of only four players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. He was expected to be arraigned in Superior Court in Burlington County within two weeks on charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.
James Harney, 40, of Evesham Township, N.J., is an eight-year veteran of the state police. He made about $89,000 from the state in 2005. Authorities say he became friendly with Tocchet about 10 years ago when he was a bartender at a Philadelphia Holiday Inn that Tocchet frequented. After he was charged with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, he was suspended from his job. He is free on $100,000 bail.
James Ulmer, 40, of Woolwich Township, N.J., was charged with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy. Authorities said he funneled wagers to Tocchet. He is free on $50,000 bail.
Janet Jones, 45, is the wife of hockey great Wayne Gretzky. An actress, she has appeared in The Flamingo Kid' and A Chorus Line. Law enforcement officials with direct knowledge of the investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said she was one of the bettors.
— The Associated Press
The NHL has hired former federal prosecutor Robert Cleary to conduct an investigation, and his findings could influence the league's viewpoint on gambling.
According to today's standard contract, NHL players are only prohibited from betting on hockey but are allowed to make legal bets on other sports.
"It's important that we distinguish between legalized gambling and illegal gambling," Daly said. "I want to emphasize that we don't condone any form of illegal gambling. But when it comes to legalized gambling, the question is where do you draw the line? You are talking about limiting the rights of a hockey player to participate in a legal activity."
The NHL would have to negotiate with the players association. It wouldn't be easy, because there are many forms of legalized gambling beyond betting on games.
"We take this seriously," Daly said. "The pro gambling culture is something we educate our players about extensively."
The hockey world was clearly stunned by the arrest of Tocchet, plus New Jersey state trooper James Harney and James Ulmer.
"We're coming out of a lockout year, attendance is up and you're looking at a lot of hockey coverage in the Olympics, so it couldn't have come at a worse time," Nashville Predators captain Greg Johnson said. "Hopefully a lot of great hockey will help people forget about it."
Added the Detroit Red Wings' Brendan Shanahan: "It seems everything they've been talking about so far involves college football and Super Bowl betting but nothing on hockey. I think that's an important distinction."
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Harney said the charges against his client are "unsubstantiated and exaggerated."
"Trooper Harney has no intention of resigning from his position," attorney Craig R. Mitnick said in a release. "The allegations against him will be scrutinized and defended vigorously."
The New Jersey State Police released the official complaints.
Tocchet is accused of having an agreement with Harney and Ulmer "whereby the defendant participated or would participate in the proceeds of gambling activity (and the) defendant did receive approximately 594 bets amounting to approximately $1,086,100 from Dec. 29, 2005, to Feb. 5, 2006."
That's an average of about $1,828 per wager during that span.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said even though the league is conducting its own investigation it would cooperate with state police.
"While there is speculation as to which other NHL personnel may have been involved, we continue to await guidance in that regard from the New Jersey law enforcement authorities," he said.
Contributing: John Glennon