Coach Benched By Betting Probe

Rick Tocchet isn't welcome in the NHL as long as he's suspected of being linked to a big-time gambling ring.

The former All-Star player who became Wayne Gretzky's right-hand man on the Phoenix Coyotes' coaching staff was granted an indefinite leave of absence Wednesday night by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Tocchet's departure came a day after he was accused of financing a nationwide gambling operation that allegedly took bets from about a half-dozen current players.

Tocchet met with Bettman and requested the leave, which the commissioner agreed to as long as several conditions were met. Tocchet must immediately cease all contact and communication with NHL and team personnel and stay away for the duration of his leave. He will not be allowed to return without Bettman's consent.

The commissioner also reserves the right to change the terms of Tocchet's absence at any time.

"We view the charges against Mr. Tocchet in the most serious terms," Bettman said in a statement. "We have pledged our full cooperation to the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. While we are conducting our own investigation, we have made clear to the law enforcement authorities in New Jersey that we will do nothing to interfere with their ongoing investigation."

The NHL hired former federal prosecutor Robert J. Cleary, who headed the Unabomber case, to investigate Tocchet.

Tocchet came to the meeting with his new attorney, who officially informed Bettman and Cleary of the pending charges that Tocchet is facing.

On the advice of attorney Kevin Marino, Tocchet wasn't prepared to respond to specific questions about the allegations, the NHL said in a news release. It was at the end of the meeting that Tocchet requested the leave of absence.

Marino called the state's charges against his client "false and irresponsible."

"Mr. Tocchet is one of the most well-respected men ever to play in the NHL, and he's respected for his integrity, his determination and his strength," the Newark-based lawyer said. "We deeply regret the attorney general's precipitous charges and are appalled at the ensuing media frenzy."

Gretzky's wife, actress Janet Jones, was also implicated, two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because no bettors have been publicly identified.

She hasn't made any public statements, and Gretzky said Tuesday that she would answer questions at some point.

"First of all, my wife is my best friend," Gretzky told reporters. "My love for her is deeper than anything. The reality is, I'm not involved, I wasn't involved and I'm not going to be involved."

Gretzky, revered as hockey's greatest player who is now in his first season as coach of the Coyotes, met with reporters after his team's 3-1 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night and said he had no knowledge of any gambling allegations until Tocchet called him Monday night.

"The sad thing about this whole scenario is that Rick is a wonderful person and a great guy, so I hope everything works out in his favor," Gretzky said. "It's hard because I love the guy. He's a great guy, you know. I just hope it all works out for him."

New Jersey authorities told the NHL on Wednesday that nothing has come to their attention that indicates the alleged gambling activities relate in any way to league games. None of the players were identified in the complaint.

"While there is speculation as to which other NHL personnel may have been involved in this matter, we continue to await guidance in that regard from the New Jersey law enforcement authorities," Bettman said.

State police Col. Rick Fuentes said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball.

Pittsburgh's Mark Recchi, a former teammate of Tocchet's, forced a Philadelphia TV station to retract a story on its Web site that said he was connected to the ring. He and John LeClair, another Penguins player and past member of the Flyers, hired a lawyer to potentially sue the station and other media outlets.

"Mark Recchi and John LeClair categorically deny any wrongdoing and are outraged that their names have been associated with the Operation Slap Shot investigation," attorney Bob Del Greco said. "While each has maintained a personal and business relationship with their friend and former teammate Rick Tocchet, neither have any involvement whatsoever in any gambling operation."

Recchi and LeClair said they haven't been contacted by authorities and don't expect to be.

The NHL Players' Association posted a message on a secure web site Wednesday advising any players who are contacted by law enforcement authorities - or even the league itself - to contact their lawyer "before talking to anyone," the Toronto Star reported.

Cleary was the lead prosecutor from 1996-98 in the case against Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski, who was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison on charges related to three deaths and the maiming of two scientists.

Cleary was the U.S. Attorney in New Jersey from 1999-02 and in the Southern District of Illinois in 2002.

New Jersey State Police Lt. Gerald Lewis said police investigators will interview other hockey players to get a sense of the scope of the gambling ring and to determine whether others should be charged.

Tocchet was publicly implicated by New Jersey authorities Tuesday. He's expected to be arraigned within 10 days, said John Hagerty, a spokesman for the New Jersey division of criminal justice.

"None of us would have any idea about something like this, no, absolutely not," Recchi told WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh.

"The integrity of the game is obviously very important. And betting on hockey is obviously something we don't want," Ottawa forward Daniel Alfredsson said. "Until you know all the facts, you don't know how it's going to affect the game or put a black mark on it."

Lewis said authorities also were exploring links between the gambling and Philadelphia-area mobsters. He said the investigation so far has only turned up that there might be some links, but not exactly what they were.

He also declined to reveal which players will be interviewed.

Hockey players are prohibited from making NHL wagers, legal or otherwise. There are no rules that forbid them from betting on other sports.

The substance abuse and behavioral health program jointly run by the league and the players' association addres