Former hockey star Rick Tocchet pleaded guilty to gambling charges on Friday.
Tocchet, 43, Phoenix Coyotes' assistant coach might return to his job after more than a year of absence, since the case broke in February 2006. He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling. First-time offenders like Tocchet usually don't get a jail sentence.
Tocchet said in his guilty plea that he formed and ran the gambling ring with Jersey state trooper James Harney and James Ulmer. The ring allegedly grossed more than $1.7 million in a 40-day period between college football bowl games and the Super Bowl.
Coach and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky wants Tocchet back as his assistant. Gretzky's wife, actress Janet Jones, had placed wagers through the ring. Gretzky was caught on an investigative wiretap discussing how his wife could avoid being implicated.
The other two defendants Harney and Ulmer, could be sentenced for up to seven years and one year in jail, respectively.
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