Tocchet gets sentenced ...

[Kanada Kev]

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TSN.ca Staff

8/17/2007 9:48:57 AM

Former National Hockey League player and Phoenix Coyotes associate coach Rick Tocchet received his sentence on Friday morning, as he was convicted on third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling and third-degree promoting gambling.

Tocchet, who appeared in Superior Court on Friday morning in New Jersey as a first-time offender, received two years probation concurrently on each count and will not likely serve jail time.

Under New Jersey law, third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison, while third-degree gambling offenses also carry a criminal fine of up to $25,000.

Tocchet has been on indefinite leave from his job as Wayne Gretzky's top assistant coach with the Coyotes since he was charged in February of 2006.

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* TSN.ca Poll: Should Tocchet be allowed back?

Neither Coyotes nor NHL officials have decided whether to allow him to return.

Tocchet, 43, is the second person sentenced in the case state authorities dubbed "Operation Slap Shot." New Jersey state trooper James Harney was sentenced to five years in state prison earlier this month after he pled guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct.

A third man, James Ulmer, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling, is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

According to police, in the month leading up to the charges, more than 1,000 wagers were taken at an estimated worth of $1.7 million. Bets were placed on college football and the NFL but not on hockey, authorities and NHL officials said.

Tocchet played in 1,144 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, scoring 440 goals and 952 points and 52 goals and 112 points in in 145 playoff games.