Operation Slapshot

Operation Slapshot is the code name of an undercover police operation, spearheaded by New Jersey state police, against an illegal nationwide gambling ring.

Details

The operation was made public on February 6, 2006. Rick Tocchet, an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, a team in the National Hockey League, and Janet Jones, the wife of ice hockey and NHL great Wayne Gretzky, were among those under investigation or indicted with charges pertaining to the operation.[1][2] Also under investigation was suspended state trooper James Harney, who was allegedly Tocchet's partner in the operation.

The investigation also referred to the possibility of an NHL team owner, half a dozen active NHL players, and other coaches and team staff members being involved in this investigation.[3] As of February 8, 2006, two more names were mentioned as people implicated by law enforcement officials: San Jose Sharks center Jeremy Roenick, and Toronto Maple Leafs center Travis Green.

The ring was said to allegedly have ties to the Bruno-Scarfo crime family, which has a base of operations in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey.[3]

Pleas and sentences

On August 3, 2006, former New Jersey state trooper James Harney pleaded 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. Harney was sentenced to six years in prison on August 3, 2007.[4]

On December 1, 2006, James Ulmer, 41, of Swedesboro, New Jersey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling, and agreed to cooperate with authorities.

On May 25, 2007, Tocchet pled guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling, was placed on probation[5] for two years for his role in Operation Slapshot, and avoided jail time. He was allowed to return to active duty in February, provided he refrained from future gambling.[6] Tocchet completed his probation in 2008, and was hired as an assistant couch for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the same year.[7] He went on to be hired as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks in 2022, where he won the Jack Adams Coach of the Year award.[8] He was hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2025.

References

  1. ^ "Gambling bust involves Tocchet, Gretzky's wife". FOX Sports. Associated Press. February 7, 2006. Archived from the original on 15 February 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Coyotes assistant charged in sports gambling ring". ESPN.com. 2006-02-07. Archived from the original on 2025-07-17. Retrieved 2025-12-29.
  3. ^ a b "Tocchet faces gambling ring charges". TSN. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  4. ^ "Tocchet's partner in gambling ring sentenced to 5 years". Archived from the original on 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2007-08-04.
  5. ^ Dellisanti, Angela (2007-07-17). "Tocchet gets 2-years probation". AZ Central.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  6. ^ "Tocchet to be reinstated in February". TSN. Archived from the original on 7 January 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  7. ^ "Rick Tocchet and Operation Slapshot". English Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
  8. ^ Hall • •, Jordan (2025-05-14). "Tocchet comes home to be new head coach of Flyers' rebuild". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved 2026-03-04.
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