It's very alarming to see that Rick Tocchet's name associated with this incident. 
12 NHL players are said to be involved!!
12 NHL players are said to be involved!!
Sports Gambling Ring Busted in NJ Linked to Former Flyer, State Trooper
EWING, NJ-February 7, 2006 - New Jersey authorities said Tuesday 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 Monday 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 NHL forward providing the financing.
Action News has learned that the ring could also be linked to former Philadelphia Flyer Mark Recchi - who now plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Janet Jones - who is the wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and the ring could be tied to the crime family of Bruno Scarfo.
Harney, 40, of Marlton, was arrested Monday. 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 Tuesday.
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.
EWING, NJ-February 7, 2006 - New Jersey authorities said Tuesday 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 Monday 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 NHL forward providing the financing.
Action News has learned that the ring could also be linked to former Philadelphia Flyer Mark Recchi - who now plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Janet Jones - who is the wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and the ring could be tied to the crime family of Bruno Scarfo.
Harney, 40, of Marlton, was arrested Monday. 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 Tuesday.
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.
