Rick Tocchet

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
position = Right Wing
played_for = Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Boston Bruins
Washington Capitals
Phoenix Coyotes
shot = Right
height_ft = 6
height_in = 0
weight_lb = 214
nationality = CAN
birth_date = birth date and age|1964|4|9
birth_place = Scarborough, ON, CAN
draft = 125th overall
draft_year = 1983
draft_team = Philadelphia Flyers
career_start = 1984
career_end = 2002

Richard Tocchet (born on April 9, 1964 in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada) is a retired professional ice hockey player. He currently serves as associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

After being drafted in the 6th round (125th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, Tocchet returned to the OHL's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for another year of junior hockey. After registering 108 points with Sault Ste. Marie, Tocchet came to the Flyers for the 1984–85 season, scoring 39 points and helping the team to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was mainly known as a fighter in his early career, but soon developed his skills enough to become a respected power forward, team leader and a four time NHL All-Star. He had memorable fights with other power forwards such as Wendel Clark and Cam Neely.

In 1992, Tocchet was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Kjell Samuelson, in exchange for Mark Recchi. In 14 playoff games, he scored 19 points, helping the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Tocchet became a well-travelled veteran in the league after his stint with the Penguins, taking roles with the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes. Rick returned to the Flyers in 2000, adding 11 points en route to an Eastern Conference Finals berth. Tocchet retired after 2001–02 season, being one of only two players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes. He became an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche in 2002–03. In the summer of 2005, he became an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes. On December 17, 2005, Tocchet took over as interim head coach for Phoenix, stepping in while head coach Wayne Gretzky was out on an indefinite leave of absence due to his mother's illness (and subsequent passing). Gretzky eventually resumed his duties on December 28.

During the 1994 season, Tocchet was part of a unique marketing promotion. Originally, the team offered a free slice of pizza to every fan in attendance, at home, if Tocchet scored in the third period. To management's chagrin he began scoring with such consistency that they were forced to change the promotion, instead giving out free slices of pizza if he "failed" to score in the third period. Unfortunately for fans, from that point on (less than halfway through the season) he scored in every third period for the rest of the season - not one slice of pizza was given out. The success of this promotion led to similar contests involving players such as Joel Otto in Calgary and Jimmy Carson in Los Angeles. There was also a Reese's Pieces promotion in Calgary when goaltender Jeff Reese posted a shutout. Now, marketing promotions that tie a player's performance to free product or food giveaways are common in sports venues across North America.

Criminal charges

On February 6, 2006, Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint, accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey in which several current NHL players wagered [http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2322234] . He was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy in New Jersey. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-02-07-gambling-bust-tocchet_x.htm?POE=LIFISVA] "It's not a hockey-related issue, it's a football thing. And at this time I can't comment any further," Tocchet told "The Arizona Republic" after the Coyotes practiced Tuesday, February 7, 2006. [http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0207gambling-bust07-ON.html]

On May 8, 2006, attorneys for Tocchet and Gretzky's wife Janet Jones filed notices in New Jersey that they intend to sue the state for $50 million each for defamation. Both Tocchet and Jones claim each have lost business opportunities in the wake of the state's investigation which have sullied their reputations. [http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/0526gretzky0526.html]

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. [http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/hockey/15190538.htm?source=rss&channel=philly_hockey]

On December 1, 2006, James Ulmer of Swedesboro, New Jersey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling and agreed to cooperate with authorities. [http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1165014634494&call_pageid=1044442959412&col=1044442957278]

On May 25, 2007, Tocchet plead guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling. New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced on August 17 that Tocchet has been sentenced to two years probation in exchange for his plea. The NHL issued a statement from Gary Bettman, but his spokesman would not answer questions, including if Tocchet has a future in hockey. [http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ap-gamblingbust&prov=ap&type=lgns]

During the week of July 8 2007, Tocchet played in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. He survived the first day, but never returned for Day 2.

During a press conference on February 6 2008, it was announced that Tocchet would be reinstated, and would serve as assistant coach starting on February 7, 2008, exactly two years after taking a leave of absence. [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080206.wspt-duha06/BNStory/Sports/columnists]

Career statistics

ee also

*Operation Slapshot
*Captain (ice hockey)
*Power forward (ice hockey)
*List of NHL seasons
*List of NHL players
*List of NHL players with 1000 games played

External links

*hockeydb|5417