Gretzky Says Gambling Talk Is Finished

Saying he would take no more questions about his knowledge of a sports-betting ring that supposedly took bets from his wife, Wayne Gretzky reiterated Tuesday that he knew nothing about the operation.

Janet Jones, Gretzky’s wife, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

Authorities in New Jersey allege that an illegal gambling ring was run by Rick Tocchet, Gretzky’s friend and assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes.

“It doesn’t involve me and I’m not involved,” Gretzky, the executive director of Canada’s men’s Olympic hockey team, said after the team’s first practice in Turin. “It’s over and done with. I’m going to concentrate on us playing hockey.”

Canada is the defending Olympic champion and Gretzky said he wanted to concentrate on hockey.

“Quite frankly, I’m not going to say anything more [about the alleged gambling]. It’s over, done with,” he said. “If we don’t win the gold medal, I’ll be blamed for it, but I’ve been blamed for losses before.”

Tocchet and a New Jersey state trooper were charged last week with running a nationwide betting operation, mostly on football. Wagers totaled $1.7 million in the five weeks leading to the Super Bowl, including $500,000 allegedly bet by Jones, who is expected to be subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating gambling activity.

Tocchet, like Gretzky a former King, is on an indefinite leave from the Coyotes.

Facing an audience of about 300 reporters at a news conference at the Palasport arena, Gretzky sat at a table with the rest of Team Canada’s staff. The clicking of camera shutters was audible each time he moved or changed his facial expression.

He said he had not addressed his team about the gambling allegations and said the matter would not be a distraction during the tournament, which begins today.

“First and foremost, everyone should understand what we’re here for is to play in the Olympic Games and represent our country and, obviously, win a gold medal,” he said. “The players on this team are mature and they’re ready to play hockey.

“The Olympics is one place where you’re isolated. There’s really no distraction here. They’re here to play games.”

Pat Quinn of the Toronto Maple Leafs, coach of Team Canada, said the matter was in the hands of the NHL, which is conducting its own investigation.

“Wayne and his family have our utmost support,” Quinn said.

The Canadian players said they didn’t expect Gretzky’s off-ice situation to detract from their performance.

“It has no bearing on what we do here,” Toronto defenseman Bryan McCabe said. “You feel for him, getting his name trashed.”

Jarome Iginla of Calgary credited Gretzky with easing the pressure on the 2002 Olympic team after a rough start. Gretzky came up with a diversionary tactic by claiming that every other team hated the Canadians, so they had to band together. The team righted itself and won the gold medal by defeating the U.S.

“He’s a great leader,” said Iginla, who added that he didn’t know much about the matter besides that it was “just allegations.”

Iginla added, “We want to win that gold medal and we’re in this together and we want to focus together. It’s great having him here, and he’s probably the biggest presence on Team Canada.”

Rob Blake of the Colorado Avalanche, who played with Gretzky for the Kings, said Gretzky did not appear stressed.

“Not at all,” Blake said, “and I think that’s what eases all the players. He walks in just like he did four years ago when we won the gold. It puts the players at ease, and away we go.”

New Jersey Devil goaltender Martin Brodeur, who will start today against Italy, also said he had empathy for Gretzky.

“It would be nice for us to do well for him because he has been so important for us,” Brodeur said.

U.S. forward Keith Tkachuk said he did not expect the Canadians to be adversely affected by the issues surrounding Gretzky.

“They’ve got a lot of veteran guys who have been around this for a long time,” he said. “They’re going to be prepared. They’re going to be there at the end, and hopefully we’ll be there against them.”

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After weather-related delays prevented all but two U.S. players from getting to Turin on Monday, everyone had reported by Tuesday afternoon, a team spokesman said.

Tampa Bay’s John Grahame will start in goal for the U.S. tonight against Latvia, with Rick DiPietro of the New York Islanders as the backup.

Peter Forsberg of the Philadelphia Flyers said he would sit out Sweden’s opener against Kazakhstan today because of a groin pull.