Ex-Flyer Tocchet nailed in ‘Slapshot’ $1M sports betting ring

 

Anthony SanFilippo, Of the Times Staff

02/08/2006

 

VOORHEES, NJ -- Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach and former Flyers captain Rick Tocchet was indicted on three criminal charges related to a nationwide sports-gambling ring with connections to organized crime that Tocchet financed, authorities said Tuesday.

 

Tocchet 41, along with New Jersey State Trooper James J. Harney, 40, and another New Jersey man, James A. Ulmer, 40, were charged with promoting gambling (bookmaking), money laundering and conspiracy.

 

The charges came after an undercover investigation dubbed "Operation Slapshot" revealed that more than 1,000 wagers in excess of $1.7 million -- including several hundred-thousand dollars gambled on Super Bowl XL -- had been placed through the trio by "numerous former and current National Hockey League players," said state police Col. Rick Fuentes at a press conference in Ewing, N.J.

 

"Many of the (betting) ring’s clientele included past and present professional athletes and celebrities who are being interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation," New Jersey state police said in a release.

 

 

If convicted of all three charges, Tocchet faces a maximum of five to 20 years in prison.

 

The allegations name Tocchet and Harney as partners in the operation, and Ulmer as an accomplice who took and collected bets.

 

Fuentes also claimed the ring had an association with the Bruno-Scarfo crime family, "La Cosa Nostra," which operates out of Philadelphia and South Jersey.

 

None of the former or current athletes who may have used Tocchet’s group for placing bets on professional and collegiate football and basketball games were named because the investigation is ongoing.

 

Fuentes also stated that a prominent "movie celebrity" was also being questioned. Several sources said the celebrity was Janet Jones, wife of Coyotes head coach and NHL legend Wayne Gretzky.

 

Tocchet, one of three associate coaches on the Coyotes’ staff, took over the head coaching duties for 10 days in December while Gretzky was away to be with his gravely ill mother, who has since passed away.

 

Tocchet was served a criminal complaint Monday and said he would travel from Arizona to New Jersey to be arraigned following Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

 

Tocchet said very little regarding the allegations, except that he would cooperate with the authorities and that "it was not a hockey-related issue."

 

Gretzky said he supported his assistant and friend.

 

"Obviously we’re concerned and obviously we feel bad," he said. "Everyone in the world is innocent until proven guilty..He’s a great guy and he’s a good friend. He’s just going through a tough time right now. Obviously, we’ve got to let it run its course."

 

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly issued a statement Tuesday: "We have just become aware of the allegations against Mr. Tocchet and the possible involvement of some unnamed players. While we know little more than has been released publicly, we understand that Mr. Tocchet’s conduct in no way involved betting on hockey. 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."

 

The statement continued, "With respect to the alleged conduct of the unnamed players, it is difficult to have any comment at this point, although everything we have heard, again, indicates it is not hockey-related. We take this issue very seriously and will monitor the proceedings closely."

 

With Tocchet still having many friends and contacts in the area, especially with the Flyers, team officials declined to comment on the situation until they were able to learn all of the information available.

 

Flyers General Manager Bob Clarke was unable to be reached for comment. He is in Las Vegas -- for a meeting of NHL general managers.

 

Tocchet played 18 years with six NHL teams. He spent most of his career with the Flyers, from 1984 to 1992 and again in 2001-02. He is one of only two players in NHL history to record 400 career goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.

 

Harney, an eight-year police veteran, and Ulmer were arrested Monday. Harney was immediately suspended from the force.

 

Both men posted 10 percent of their bail -- Harney’s bail was set at $100,00, while Ulmer’s was $50,000 -- and were released on their own recognizance. Their preliminary arraignments will be held in New Jersey Superior Court.

 

State police began the investigation last October. Acting on a tip, an undercover officer placed bets with the men. Fuentes confirmed that none of the bets were made on NHL games, nor was there any proof of any being made by the unnamed hockey players.

 

He also confirmed that more charges against other individuals were possible.

 

It is alleged that Tocchet met Harney when he was a player with the Flyers and Harney was a bartender at the Hilton Hotel, located a few blocks from the Philadelphia sports complex. Tocchet allegedly frequented the bar after games and developed a friendship with Harney.

Poor Gretzky, it's a very bad situation for him. Tocchet in my opinion is screwed.