N.J. Gambling Ring Broken Up: Former NHL Player Rick Tocchet Pleads Guilty

Rick Tocchet, a former NHL player who has played for six different teams in a 22-year career, pleaded guilty Friday to running a sports gambling ring.

Yet, he may not be serving jail time.

He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling. Yet Tocchet may not serve any jail time, since these two offenses do not typically carry a jail sentence if the offender is a first-timer. However, the maximum sentence that can be given by a judge for these charges are 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Tocchet is now on leave from his job as the Phoenix Coyotes Assistant coach.

State Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw was interviewed outside the courtroom where Tocchet's case was held.

"It's a huge operation and I think it exposes to people the allure of gambling, illegal gambling, in New Jersey", he said, according to the Associated Press. He declined to comment when asked whether prosecuters will ask for jail time for Tocchet.

New Jersey officials have nicknamed the operation "Operation Slapshot", as Tocchet is actually the third person who has pleaded guilty in the case. One of the other guilty parties is a state trooper, James Harney. Harney and the third man are expected to serve jail time.

Janet Jones, who is the wife of hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, was also accused of betting but was not charged in the case, according to the Associated Press.

Ironically, there were no bets on hockey games. All bets were for college football bowl games and the Super Bowl. In February of 2006 the ring was said to deal with $1.7 million dollars in bets during a 40-day time period that started at the end of 2005.

During Friday's hearing in the courthouse, Tocchet only responded to yes or no questions and nothing else. His attorney is Kevin Marino. Tocchet denied betting on professional hockey when asked, according to the Associated Press.