Tocchet to be reinstated in February

[Habsfan84]

The National Hockey League has approved the reinstatement of suspended Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, effective February 7, 2008. Tocchet has been on indefinite leave since February 7, 2006.
His reinstatement is conditional upon his ability to refrain from gambling in any way in the future. He must also submit himself to NHL-NHLPA doctors to see if he has an issue with compulsive gambling.
Commissioner Gary Bettman also reserved the right to further discipline Tocchet should he fail to strictly abide by any of these conditions.
''Employment and participation in the National Hockey League is an honour and privilege that can't be taken for granted,'' Bettman said during a news conference Thursday. ''I felt that two years was the appropriate punishment.''
In August, Tocchet was convicted on charges of third-degree conspiracy to promote gambling and third-degree promoting gambling for his role in Operation Slapshot and received two years probation concurrently on each count.

According to police, more than 1,000 wagers were taken at an estimated worth of $1.7 million in the month leading up to the charges filed in 2006. Bets were placed on college football and the NFL but not on hockey, authorities and NHL officials said.
''We respect the Commissioner's decision and are relieved that this situation is behind us,'' said Coyotes head coach Wayne Gretzky in a statement. ''We will welcome Rick Tocchet back on Feb. 7, 2008.''
Tocchet played in 1,144 regular-season games with the Coyotes, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, scoring 440 goals and 952 points and 52 goals and 112 points in in 145 playoff games.