by KYW's Ed Kasuba
As expected, former Philadelphia Flyers hockey player Rick Tocchet was sentenced Friday to two years' probation for his involvement in an illegal gambling operation.
It was a contrite Tocchet who appeared for sentencing in a Burlington County, NJ courtroom:
“I just want to say sorry to the court and my family and friends that I was involved in this.”
Tocchet, 43, who now lives in Phoenix, Ariz., pleaded guilty three months ago to counts of promoting gambling and conspiracy (see related story).
The sentence was imposed by Judge Thomas Smith (right):
"This court is going to find there is no need to incarcerate Mr. Tocchet to protect the public, therefore I will sentence him as follows. You are sentenced to a term of two years of non-custodial probation.”
Tocchet’s attorney, Kevin Marino, noted again that Tocchet was not involved in betting on hockey games.
Tocchet is on an indefinite leave from his position as assistant coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
Tocchet admitted he was part of an illegal sports betting ring between September 2002 and February 2006.
The ring, based in the South Jersey and Philadelphia areas, took in millions of dollars in bets from all over the country.
Since Tocchet did not have a prior criminal record, the probationary sentence was considered likely.
Just two weeks ago, a former New Jersey state trooper, 41-year-old James Harney of Marlton, NJ, was sentenced to five years in prison for conspiring with Tocchet in promoting the sports betting ring.
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