Tocchet pleads guilty in sports gambling

TRENTON, N.J., May 25 (UPI) -- Rick Tocchet, a longtime NHL player who is on leave as a coach of the league's Phoenix Coyotes, pleaded guilty to involvement in a sports betting ring.

Tocchet pleaded guilty Friday to third-degree promoting gambling and conspiracy in state court. While each count carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $25,000 fine, it is not expected that Tocchet will be ordered to jail when sentenced Aug. 17.

He is the third person to plead guilty in the investigation, known as "Operation Slapshot," which began in October 2005. New Jersey State Trooper James Harney also pleaded guilty in the case.

State Police said they uncovered a sports betting ring that, during a 40-day period, involved move than 1,000 bets totaling more than $1.7 million on professional and college sports.

Among those accused of betting with the group was Janet Jones, the wife of hockey legend and Phoenix Coyotes Coach Wayne Gretzky. She was not charged in the case.