Rick Tocchet Might Not Fight His Way Out of This One

When Rick Tocchet played for the Flyers, he was an absolute menace. If I was playing against the Flyers, I'd have had my head on a swivel when #22 was on the ice.

Rick is now an assistant coach under Wayne Gretsky in Phoenix and he allegedly was involved in some pretty serious crimes:

TRENTON - New Jersey state investigators today announced they had dismantled an illegal sports betting ring they say was orchestrated by former Philadelphia Flyers star Rick Tocchet and a state trooper.

Authorities said the ring had ties to the mob, and touched on at least one Hollywood star and several professional hockey players.

Officials with the State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice said Trooper James Harney, 40, of Marlton, had been charged with official misconduct, promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, for his role in a betting scheme they said operated mainly in South Jersey and Philadelphia but extended nationwide. Harney's alleged partner, Tocchet, 41, who played for the Flyers from 1984 to 1992 and from 1999 to 2002 and is now an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, also was served with a complaint summons charging him with promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy.

James Ulmer, 40, of Swedesboro, who investigators said helped the pair taking bets, was similarly charged. He and Tocchet could face five to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Gretsky's wife, Janet Jones was also implicated. While no one alleges that any betting on hockey occurred, this whole thing just blows.

Go to a Flyers game to this day and you'll see #22 Tocchet jerseys all over the place, the love for this guys tenacity on the ice has not died.

The suspended state trooper lives around the corner from me.