Tocchet Says "Touché": Press Sightings Keep Former Hockey Coach Away from WSOPFormer professional ice hockey player
and assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes was a "no show" for Day 2b of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event despite surviving a grueling first day.
Tocchet, who is due to be sentenced next month for pleading guilty to charges of third-degree conspiracy and third-degree promoting gambling for his part in the operation of a gambling ring in New Jersey, was left with 17,100 chips which was far below the average stack of 54,000, according to ThePokerBiz.com
Tocchet’s seat sat empty for the entire day today while the blinds and antes were collected from his chip stack. Around 3:30 Las Vegas time the last of Tocchet’s chips were put into the pot and he was eliminated from the tournament.
"Tocchet’s disappearance may be a result of his sentencing and the impact playing in a highly visible poker tournament may have on that sentence," ThePokerBiz.com speculated on Wednesday.
On February 6, 2006, Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint, accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey in which several current NHL players wagered .
"It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further," Tocchet told The Arizona Republic.
On May 8, 2006, attorneys for Tocchet and Gretzky's wife Janet Jones filed notices in New Jersey that they intend to sue the state for $50 million each for defamation. Both Tocchet and Jones claim each have lost business opportunities in the wake of the state's investigation which have sullied their reputations.
Former New Jersey state trooper James Harney would later plead guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct, and promised to help authorities with their case against Tocchet and others. Harney said that he and Tocchet were 50-50 partners in the betting ring.
On December 1, 2006, James Ulmer, 41, of Swedesboro, New Jersey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling and agreed to cooperate with authorities as well.
On May 25, 2007, Tocchet pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling.
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Kira Wissman, Gambling911.com
Originally published July 12, 2007 12:13 am ET
