Tocchet shouldn't be allowed to coach. and should be banned from the NHL for life. It's pretty sad that Bettman didn't give this guy the lifetime banishment way back when. 
Tocchet shouldn't be allowed back behind bench
Stu Cowan, CanWest News Service
Published: Sunday, August 12, 2007
MONTREAL -- While the commissioners of the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association have all had major controversies to deal with recently, Gary Bettman has been able to enjoy a relatively quiet summer.
Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, has had it made in the shade while the NFL's Roger Goodell has had to deal with dog-fighting charges against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, baseball boss Bud Selig had to watch BALCO Barry Bonds break his friend Hank Aaron's home-run record, and the NBA's David Stern had to deal with a referee who has been accused of fixing the outcome of games.
But Bettman's quiet summer could come to an end this Friday. That's the day Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet is scheduled to be sentenced in New Jersey after pleading guilty in May to charges of conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling in an illegal sports gambling ring dubbed Operation Slapshot. Former New Jersey state trooper James Harney, who helped Tocchet run the ring, was sentenced to five years in prison on Aug. 3.
Under state law, Tocchet's third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and third-degree gambling offences carry a maximum fine of $25,000. But with no previous criminal record, it's highly unlikely Tocchet will go to jail.
And that means Tocchet could end up back behind the Coyotes' bench for the 2007-08 season, alongside head coach Wayne Gretzky.
Bettman shouldn't let that happen.
The NHL has been conducting its own investigation into Tocchet, who has been on an unpaid leave of absence, and after he pleaded guilty the Coyotes released a statement saying they would "await the completion of the National Hockey League's investigation and will support whatever decision the commissioner may render regarding Mr. Tocchet's status."
One thing Tocchet has going for him is that Gretzky has made it clear he wants his friend back behind the Coyotes' bench.
"That would be my choice, and I know the players would like it," Gretzky told the Arizona Republic after meeting with his players for the final time at the end of last season. (Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, is one of the people alleged to have placed bets with Tocchet, including $500,000 over a six-week period of the Operation Slapshot investigation. She was not charged in the case. Placing bets - even with a bookmaker - is not illegal in New Jersey.)
Working against Tocchet is the ongoing game-fixing case against NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
Since Operation Slapshot first made headlines in February 2006, the NHL has been trying to sweep the Tocchet case under the carpet with the belief that since he didn't bet on NHL games, it shouldn't be a big deal.
"What's becoming increasingly clear -- and it was from the outset -- is that this had nothing to do with hockey," Bettman said in March 2006. "It has nothing to do with the integrity of the game."
Oh, yes it does. Especially now.
Donaghy, who had been an NBA referee for 13 years, is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly betting on games he officiated. Several publications have reported he was suffering from financial difficulties, likely the result of a gambling problem. Investigators allege that is what provided the opening to members of organized crime to make contact with him about fixing the outcome of NBA games.
You'd have to think that Donaghy's financial difficulties came from betting on something other than basketball, where he could help decide the outcome himself. But his gambling problems most likely led to him betting on the NBA.
A referee can definitely affect the outcome of a game more than an assistant coach, but an assistant coach with links to illegal gambling could definitely tip off bookies when his team's No. 1 goalie will be rested or when his team is trying to hide a major injury to a key player by simply calling it an "upper body" or "lower body" injury like NHL teams so often do - especially during the playoffs.
Last month, while awaiting his sentencing, Tocchet decided to take part in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. (Gretzky's wife also took part). While there is absolutely nothing illegal about the World Series of Poker, it's an event I probably would have skipped if I was in Tocchet's shoes. In his position, it just doesn't look good.
And it wouldn't look good for someone who was involved in an illegal gambling operation to be standing behind an NHL bench - especially now.
Bettman should simply announce that Tocchet is banned from the NHL and go back to enjoying his quiet summer.
Tocchet shouldn't be allowed back behind bench
Stu Cowan, CanWest News Service
Published: Sunday, August 12, 2007
MONTREAL -- While the commissioners of the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association have all had major controversies to deal with recently, Gary Bettman has been able to enjoy a relatively quiet summer.
Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, has had it made in the shade while the NFL's Roger Goodell has had to deal with dog-fighting charges against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, baseball boss Bud Selig had to watch BALCO Barry Bonds break his friend Hank Aaron's home-run record, and the NBA's David Stern had to deal with a referee who has been accused of fixing the outcome of games.
But Bettman's quiet summer could come to an end this Friday. That's the day Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet is scheduled to be sentenced in New Jersey after pleading guilty in May to charges of conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling in an illegal sports gambling ring dubbed Operation Slapshot. Former New Jersey state trooper James Harney, who helped Tocchet run the ring, was sentenced to five years in prison on Aug. 3.
Under state law, Tocchet's third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and third-degree gambling offences carry a maximum fine of $25,000. But with no previous criminal record, it's highly unlikely Tocchet will go to jail.
And that means Tocchet could end up back behind the Coyotes' bench for the 2007-08 season, alongside head coach Wayne Gretzky.
Bettman shouldn't let that happen.
The NHL has been conducting its own investigation into Tocchet, who has been on an unpaid leave of absence, and after he pleaded guilty the Coyotes released a statement saying they would "await the completion of the National Hockey League's investigation and will support whatever decision the commissioner may render regarding Mr. Tocchet's status."
One thing Tocchet has going for him is that Gretzky has made it clear he wants his friend back behind the Coyotes' bench.
"That would be my choice, and I know the players would like it," Gretzky told the Arizona Republic after meeting with his players for the final time at the end of last season. (Gretzky's wife, Janet Jones, is one of the people alleged to have placed bets with Tocchet, including $500,000 over a six-week period of the Operation Slapshot investigation. She was not charged in the case. Placing bets - even with a bookmaker - is not illegal in New Jersey.)
Working against Tocchet is the ongoing game-fixing case against NBA referee Tim Donaghy.
Since Operation Slapshot first made headlines in February 2006, the NHL has been trying to sweep the Tocchet case under the carpet with the belief that since he didn't bet on NHL games, it shouldn't be a big deal.
"What's becoming increasingly clear -- and it was from the outset -- is that this had nothing to do with hockey," Bettman said in March 2006. "It has nothing to do with the integrity of the game."
Oh, yes it does. Especially now.
Donaghy, who had been an NBA referee for 13 years, is being investigated by the FBI for allegedly betting on games he officiated. Several publications have reported he was suffering from financial difficulties, likely the result of a gambling problem. Investigators allege that is what provided the opening to members of organized crime to make contact with him about fixing the outcome of NBA games.
You'd have to think that Donaghy's financial difficulties came from betting on something other than basketball, where he could help decide the outcome himself. But his gambling problems most likely led to him betting on the NBA.
A referee can definitely affect the outcome of a game more than an assistant coach, but an assistant coach with links to illegal gambling could definitely tip off bookies when his team's No. 1 goalie will be rested or when his team is trying to hide a major injury to a key player by simply calling it an "upper body" or "lower body" injury like NHL teams so often do - especially during the playoffs.
Last month, while awaiting his sentencing, Tocchet decided to take part in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. (Gretzky's wife also took part). While there is absolutely nothing illegal about the World Series of Poker, it's an event I probably would have skipped if I was in Tocchet's shoes. In his position, it just doesn't look good.
And it wouldn't look good for someone who was involved in an illegal gambling operation to be standing behind an NHL bench - especially now.
Bettman should simply announce that Tocchet is banned from the NHL and go back to enjoying his quiet summer.