Major Stories
Monday, March 06, 2006
Kelley’s Sure Thing
All may be quiet on Rick Tocchet and the Operation Slapshot front, but Jim Kelley digs into sports betting a bit more with some tales from western NY.
Thanks to Kukla’s for the pointer.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • Media • NHL
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Thursday, February 16, 2006
Attorney General Cancels Tocchet’s Court Appearance
Rick Tocchet’s lawyer has just release the following statement to the press:
NEWARK, NJ - On February 15, Rick Tocchet requested that the Attorney General’s Office cancel his First Appearance and carefully review the evidence against him.
That First Appearance, which had been inaccurately described as an arraignment, was scheduled for February 21, 2006. This afternoon, the Court advised Tocchet that his First Appearance has in fact been cancelled.
In light of the illegal press leaks that have plagued this matter and the gross mischaracterization of this case that has appeared in the international media, we are extremely pleased that Rick Tocchet will not be subjected to the further public humiliation a First Appearance would entail. We remain hopeful that when the Attorney General’s Office has completed its review of the charges against him, it will elect to dimiss this case rather than seek an indictment.
If no charges are filed and it turns out Tocchet did not have the involvement in the gambling ring as was once thought, it would mean the leaks to the press that we’ve been reading about have been grossly incorrect and that the AG’s Office should conduct its own internal investigation.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Wednesday, February 15, 2006
The Media Circle
The media has been hounding Wayne Gretzky. The media is now commenting on the media hounding Gretzky. James Mirtle comments on the media commenting on itself about Gretzky. I now add the next link in the chain.
Mirtle points out both sides of the media monster: there’s good and bad and demand for it all right now.
Outside of so many “unnamed sources”, I think the media’s been pretty good with this one.
For one thing, the media has not been that hard on Gretzky. Gretzky has been given sainthood north of the border. Excuses and defenses were being made for him before his name was even mentioned. He might have done nothing wrong, this isn’t a complaint, simply an observation from someone in NY who’s seen the media eat someone up before.
Secondly, this is a huge story, and how people are compaining over it being covered too much already is insane. It’s still fresh and there have been constant information leaks, some true, some not.
Frankly, as long as things stay confirmed in regards to the bets and hockey (that there were none made on NHL games and no information passed along), this is good for the game in the US. Oh, I know, everyone doesn’t believe “any publicity is good publicity”, but let’s look at some facts here:
- Hockey was on the front and back page of major newspapers cross-country
- ESPN led with a hockey-related story for multiple news broadcasts
- All names involved are pronouncable
- Americans love to gamble (or “why the NFL is popular”) and won’t condemn anyone as long as games weren’t fixed
- Todd Bertuzzi is not involved (I hope)
- No one’s been physically harmed that we know of
Compared to scandals in other sports, the NHL has little to worry about with “Operation Slapshot”.
What the media (and public) has to do now is be patient. Wait for Rick Tocchet’s arraignment, see what his real (if any) connection is to helping run/finance gambling ring, and what his connection (if any) is to any other individuals who helped run it. The speculation is what can make the coverage dirty. Hopefully that will be kept to a minimum.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • Media • NHL
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Monday, February 13, 2006
Sources Say Gretzky Didn’t Know About Gambling
Alan Hahn from Newsday is reporting that most sources are saying Gretzky didn’t find out about soon-to-come the gambling scandal until very recently and that the wiretaps confirm that. More on the source from CBC.
The Arizona Republic has a story about Gretzky and the Coyotes getting tired of the leaks to the media and “inaccurate” sources.
ESPN Motion has a video recap of last night’s Coyotes loss and how it was overshadowed by the wiretaps.
Update 500pm: Some more multimedia from ESPN:
From Mike & Mike in the Morning: Roger Cossack - “Our legal analyst helps us understand the NHL gambling scandal. He explains how Grand Jury testimonials, which are supposed to be private, are leaked to the press. He also explains to us the Roenick affidavit.”
Also from Mike & Mike in the Morning: Did JR Gamble? - “Jeremy Roenick will give an affidavit to New Jersey authorities investigating the NHL gambling scandal.”
From Cold Pizza: Rick Tocchet’s Attorney Upset with Prosecutors - “Kevin Marino denies all charges”
Update 1130pm: Fox Sports video: Gretzky heads to Turin - “Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky puts the NHL gambling scandal behind him, promising that it won’t distract the Canadian Olympic team’s hopes to repeat as gold medalists.”
Back over at ESPN Motion: Wayne Gretzky Is Trying to Focus On the Olympics - “Gretzky reiterates that he wasn’t involved”
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Saturday, February 11, 2006
Cleary: No Betting on Hockey
From the NY Times:
“It does not appear to us that there has been betting on hockey games at all,” the prosecutor, Robert J. Cleary, said in a telephone interview.
Cleary was retained Wednesday by Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the N.H.L., to investigate whether a betting ring that law-enforcement officials said was based in New Jersey and financed by the Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet might have influenced games.
It simply confirms what all have been saying all along, including those involved with the state’s investigation.
Fox Sports video: Assistant coach Barry Smith and Coyotes players show their support for Gretzky
From The Arizona Republic: Smith says he knew Tocchet placed football bets, but didn’t know anything about basketball, or any other involvement.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Friday, February 10, 2006
Islanders Were Interested in Tocchet
Alan Hahn of Newsday is reporting that the Islanders were interested in Rick Tocchet becoming the next head coach of the team.
According to multiple persons with knowledge of the situation, the Islanders in early January were planning to replace Stirling. General manager Mike Milbury put together a list of names, which included Tocchet, an associate coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. Another Coyotes assistant, Barry Smith, also was on the list.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Gretzky Releases Statement
Wayne Gretzky’s postgame statement:
“Well, before I start first of all I want to say that first and foremost I’m not going anywhere. I am still going to coach the Phoenix Coyotes. I did nothing wrong, or nothing that has to do with anything along the lines of betting; that never happened. I’m going to Italy on Sunday to be with Team Canada and be a part of the Olympic games. Thirdly, lastly, I’m going to say it one more time, like I said the other night; I didn’t bet, didn’t happen, not gonna happen, hasn’t happened, it’s not something that I have done. So in saying all that I appreciate everyone’s support; a lot of great friends that have said a lot of nice things. I’ve felt like the last three days I’ve defended myself over something that absolutely, unequivocally, I was not involved with. In saying all that I hope you appreciate that the last three days have been horrible. I’m just too tired mentally and physically to talk anymore about it. There is nothing for me to talk about. And if you have any questions for people that are involved, contact them. Thank you.”
Update 350am: Don’t want to read all that? Fox Sports has a video of Gretzky making the statement above.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Barnett Releases Statement
Coyotes GM Michael Barnett just released this statement:
“I met with investigators from the state of New Jersey last night and answered all of their questions honestly and in their entirety.
“They informed me that my conduct has in no way violated either federal or state laws.
“Due to the ongoing nature of their investigation, I can’t comment any further at this time.”
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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Thursday, February 09, 2006
More Media and Player Comments on Operation Slapshot
Have some more multimedia from ESPN:
ESPN Radio: Operation Slapshot - ESPN Legal Analyst Roger Cossack breaks down the NHL gambling scandal.
Rome Burns on Rick Tocchet - Nothing too substantial, and he’s good about saying it’s not all known yet, and basically just makes the Sopranos comparison. I guess it’s obvious, and it’s going to be hard to run away from with Jersey involved.
Update Feb 9 1250pm: How about some Fox Sports video now?
From the 7th: Tocchet under fire - Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky and center Mike Ricci react to the news about Rick Tocchet and his affiliation with a gambling ring.
Also from the 7th: Flyers react to Tocchet - Philadelphia Flyers Peter Forsberg and Simon Gagne react to Coyotes coach Rich Tocchet’s gambling charges and the possible side effects it could have on hockey.
From late on the 8th: Recchi on Tocchet scandal - Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mark Recchi reacts to news that Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach and longtime friend Rick Tocchet is being accused of financing a nationwide gambling ring.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • Media • NHL
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Gretzky Heard on Wiretap
Gretzky talked about betting ring on wiretap
NHL legend discussed the operation but didn’t place wagers, sources say
There is no evidence Gretzky made any bets, the sources said, but the secretly recorded phone calls show the hockey hall-of-famer knew about the gambling ring, and investigators are looking into whether he placed any wagers through his wife, Janet Jones.
I have little doubt many in hockey would have let Rick Tocchet go down, no matter what his role was, and no matter how much people like him. Gretzky? I’m willing to bet many will fall on the sword to protect his image, which is intertwined with the league. This is what happens when you market one player a generation.
Major Stories • Operation Slapshot • NHL
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