League bars Tocchet until at least Feb.
NEW YORK - Rick Tocchet's role in an illegal gambling ring will keep him out of the NHL until at least next February.
Tocchet, a former Flyer who partnered with a New Jersey state trooper and another man in a sports betting venture they ran for five years, was sentenced by a New Jersey court to two years' probation in August.
He has been on an indefinite leave from his job as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes and had his ban extended Thursday by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman until Feb. 7, 2008 - two years after the leave began.
"Employment and participation in the National Hockey League is an honor and privilege that can't be taken for granted," Bettman said. "I felt that two years was the appropriate punishment."
Tocchet, who could have received up to five years in state prison, violated terms of the leave granted by Bettman by having contact with league personnel during the time he was away from the game, and must meet other conditions before he can be reinstated.
The former star forward may not gamble legally or illegally and is prohibited from taking part in any activity that would reflect negatively on the NHL. Tocchet also must submit to the NHL's substance abuse program to determine if he has a compulsive gambling problem.
An extensive investigation conducted by former federal prosecutor Robert Cleary, who was hired by the NHL after Tocchet was charged in February 2006, found that Tocchet was involved in the ring in that he shared in the profits and losses.
Cleary said yesterday there was no evidence of betting on hockey by a player or any member of the NHL community; there was no compromise of any league games, and no evidence that the ring was connected to any organized crime activity.
