NHL betting scandal

Here they are after a day at the spa (as if!), the morning links:

Lots and lots of stories out there surrounding Operation Slapshot, a New Jersey police gambling sting that yesterday netted Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, who was the alleged bankroller of the operation. According to authorities its customer base including Wayne Gretzky's wife Janet and a dozen current and former NHL players -- but not J.R., he said:

Los Angeles Kings forward Jeremy Roenick, who in 2004 said he had bet on sports for years but had stopped "cold turkey" after a warning from his former team, the Flyers, yesterday told the Star he was aware of the gambling investigation but insisted he has no involvement.
"I have not been contacted by anyone about this," Roenick said. "I am not a suspect."

Not Gretzky either, as he told the Arizona Republic:

"Absolutely not. I never bet. Anytime there is a spouse involved, that's what people are going to think. She's her own person. I think that had I been involved, I would have gotten a phone call. I'm pretty hard to hide."

The real smoking gun here is not who made bets or how many and on what, with other reports suggesting this involves NHLers at the ownership level as well, the investigation ongoing in five cities. It's the gambling ring's ties to organized crime. That's where this becomes a major, major scandal that's going to drag on, each name like a little drip falling on the head of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman:

The probe is expected to widen, officials said, and is focusing on a number of prominent NHL players and management officials who may have placed illegal bets with the ring.
"It's huge," one official said of the investigation's scope.
(snip)
State police said the New Jersey ring ran a sophisticated operation that handled bets on football and basketball. In one 40-day period, more than 1,000 wagers totaling more than $1.7 million were placed by clients nationwide, officials said.
Some gamblers placed their bets by calling Harney's cellphone while the 40-year-old uniformed trooper patrolled the New Jersey Turnpike in his police cruiser, officials said.
(snip)
Investigators say that Harney is connected to the Bruno-Scarfo Philadelphia crime family, but did not elaborate. In general, people running illegal gambling operations in mob territory are expected to pay "tribute" or a portion of their proceeds, to organized crime members, law enforcement officials said.
When state troopers searched Harney's home in Marlton late Monday, they found $250,000 worth of Rolex watches and nine flat-screen televisions -- two of them in the bathroom, officials said.

Otherwise, some quick links:

Leafs beat the Thrashers, but have perhaps lost Carlo Colaiacovo for the season.

Antonio Davis checks in to Raptors practice, thus ending the latest NBA soap opera.

The Pistons lose to the Hawks. I'll repeat that: The Pistons lose to the Hawks.

Beer leaguers make the NHL cry uncle.

And this from the African Cup of Nations, where Egypt and the Ivory Coast will play in Friday's final: Egyptian Mido's furious touchline demonstration upon being substituted late during the host's semifinal victory has resulted in the Spurs forward being suspended for six months. Sort of takes the shine off the victory parties, doesn't it?

Comments

[Mark Freedman]

It's a sad sad statement on the Raptors and their centre-by-committee approach (even since their star centre went down with that mysteriously injury) that Antonio Davis is going to be the starting centre. I can't wait until Mitchell utilizes his athleticism, shot-block, keen passing skills and ball handling skills. Those have been sorely missing since '03 (or the last time the AD blackhole was wearing the Purple and White).

One more thing: isn't it time for the Raptors to start wearing grown up colours? I mean, 10+ years in the league and they look like they're wearing under-roos. Sure "underwear is fun to wear, when you're wearing your under-roos", but seriously, a red dinosaur and purple trim? And I'm no dinosaur expert and my time machine only can take me back 1000 years, but the requisite 65-250MM years ago but I'm willing to bet that Raptors were not red.

[Carla]

As for the gambling hijinx, it's reassuring to see that some folks can't learn from the mistakes of others. Just reinforces my opinion that we, as a species, are getting dumberer.

Am very sorry to hear about how bad a concussion Carlo Colaiacovo has suffered. I sure hope he is able to recover completely from it--I was really impressed with his play with the big boys this year and would like to see him able to come back.

[Flam Flim]

Good for Pat Quinn's All-Stars ... they beat Atlanta. Yours truly was at that game (I had a free gold seat behind Belfour's net).

But the crowd was on to old man Tie Domi. The enforcer who doesn't enforce. Sundin got nailed by a (clean) nasty bodycheck and goes down ... the team captain for cryin' out loud ... and the best Domi can do is skate behind a linesman and use harsh language. What are the Leafs paying this guy for exactly? Surely not his good looks.

The NHL gambling fiasco the media is trying to blow out of proportion for the sake of newspaper sales will fall by the wayside. If you have enough money, fame, and friends in high places, well then the law just doesn't apply to you. Leave it to the great unwashed to contend with ... now where's my betting sheet?

[Jlo]

I agree this gambling thing will pass. Someone on the Leafs broadcast last night said that when they are cleared, it won't make the news, but they will be tarnished by this regardless. Well, if you are famous, too bad, that's part of the job.

[Ninja]

In Domi's defense I think his shoulder might be still bothering him. Beyond that, I completely agree he isn't living up to what is expected of him.

[L. Brown]

"one that threatens — or promises — to smudge the reputation of hockey icon Wayne Gretzky,"

It is a sad day when the police, who are sworn to secrecy during investigations, can divulge information about Wayne Gretzky's wife, for nothing more than sensationalism! And then for some of the Star's editors to actually comment that Gretzky should not go to the Olympics because of a controversy involving his name perpetuated unethically by the police. Only in Canada do we "eat our own" A guy like Wayne Gretzky who is the epitomy of fair play and to whom all parents wish their kids emulate who obviously can't even count on reporters in his own country to support him. Shame on you all!