Hockey Coach-Gambling Ring-Mob Family: A Bad Combo for the NHL

The dreadful specter of gambling scandals has just jumped to the top of the NHL agenda.

Rick Tocchet is in a world of trouble, and not just with the law. Assuming these charges are in any way accurate, the NHL will come down on him like a ton of bricks:

"Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet financed a nationwide sports gambling ring in which about a half-dozen current NHL players placed bets — but not on hockey — authorities said Tuesday."

"Tocchet, a former NHL star, was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, state police Col. Rick Fuentes said."

The story goes on to describe Tocchet as a "partner and financier" in the ring, which has "alleged ties to the Bruno-Scarfo crime family." Not good.

The fact that current NHL players were involved surely sends a chill through Gary Bettman, regardless of assurances that there was no betting on hockey. The faintest stain of illicit gambling and mob-related skullduggery is hard to remove, no matter how hard you scrub or how strong your disinfectant. And Bettman won't be thanking authorities for the name they've given the investigation: Operation Slapshot.

Update: TSN.ca reports that clients of the ring included "12 NHL players or people closely associated with NHL clubs, including one team owner and one member of a coaching staff," and that the chief investigator "is not prepared to unequivocally say there wasn't betting on hockey. "

Update II: Wayne Gretzky's wife is reportedly among those who placed bets, according to the Associated Press.

Update III: Here's the NHL's rather terse statement on the issue. Tocchet did not appear on the Coyotes' bench for Tuesday night's game, and has apparently been called to appear before Bettman asap.