From the Toronto Globe and Mail
Wayne Gretzky denied he ever placed a bet with the gambling ring his assistant coach Rick Tocchet is accused of operating. He also said he never placed any kind of bet on hockey in his life and that he will not resign his position as executive director of the Canadian Olympic men's hockey team.
Mr. Gretzky also brushed aside a report that New Jersey State Police had wiretap evidence of him discussing the gambling operation before it was made public by the authorities. He said he had no knowledge of Tocchet's involvement in gambling prior to this week's news.
"No way," he said emphatically when asked if he planned to resign from the Olympic team. "If I had ever bet so much as a penny on sports I would call Bob Nicholson and resign." Bob Nicholson is president of Hockey Canada, which oversees the Olympic team.
The strain of the past few days showed, as Mr. Gretzky looked tired, but he was unequivocal about keeping his post as head of the Olympic team and as part-owner and head coach of the Coyotes.
"If I did one thing that would embarrass Team Canada or the country or hockey I would resign," he said. "It didn't happen.
"If I bet on sports - I would never embarrass Team Canada or the country or hockey - I would phone Gary Bettman and Bob Nicholson right now and say you know what, I resign, it's over, even if I made a $1 bet," Mr. Gretzky added, referring to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
"I wouldn't even go into a sports book in Vegas," Mr. Gretzky said. "Even though it's legal, I would never do that. That's how serious I am."
Mr. Gretzky admitted, "it's been a tough couple of days."
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I've watched this case unfold and I find the motives of the New Jersey police and the prosecuters more than a little suspicious. I agree with Lawyers involved in the case who said details of the three-month investigation should not be made public.
“I have never been involved in a case where the prosecution has engaged in such inappropriate conduct in terms of making investigators available to the press, appearing on nationally syndicated television,” said Kevin Marino, a lawyer for Tocchet, who was granted an indefinite leave from the NHL Wednesday. “It's improper, it's unwarranted and I will not tolerate it.”
“We are not going to try this case in the press and we're not going to let them either,” he said.
This story is one of conjecture and accusation manufactured to distract and weaken the Great One in time for the Olympics. Maybe it all will die down and blow over once the Olympic torch is lit, I hope so. This kind of unsubstantiated speculative crap is not fair to a man of Gretzky's character. How about adding some conspiracy theory to the action I'm all for more Can/US suspicion. Softwood and Mad Cow as retribution for not helping in Iraq, anyone? Now they are hitting us where it hurts - right in the rink. Devious, yes, but that's not playing fair.
You would expect this type of callous attack from the rag mags not a respected? police department. It's a far cry from throwing down a few bucks on the ponies as Janet Gretzky states, to making bets with a multi million dollar gambling ring. Gimme a break, can I make a suggestion where the Jersey cops would be better off sticking their wire taps?
Tomorrow Canada starts their journey down the road to Olympic Hockey gold and rest assure I will be cheering loudly when the Maple Leaf flies proudly behind Team Canada, led by their general, the great one.
Later,
Kenaz
