Rick Tocchet implicated in gambling ring

You know it's a big story when you roll out of bed, and it's all over the radio. A quick look at Google News, and yeap, it's there, too. My email inbox is also filling as word spreads.

Former NHLer and current Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet faces charges of gambling and money laundering. Two other men also face charges, including a state police trooper.

I'm not in the newsroom today and don't, at the moment, have any additional information, but this scheme would have really had to be on the downlow in the hockey world considering how close Tocchet is to Wayne Gretzky.

As for the current players involved, I'm guessing all or the majority of them are members of the Coyotes. Tocchet also has close connections to the Avalanche from when he was an assistant coach there. (Other possibilities are players in Philadelphia and New Jersey, in the area where the charges are coming from.)

Amazingly, Tocchet will still be behind the bench for the Coyotes game against the Chicago Blackhawks. You can bet the OLN broadcast crew showing the game tonight will be all over the story.