Gretzky Expresses Support for Wife and Tocchet

At some point, presumably, Wayne Gretzky will be answering questions.

Saturday was not that day.

The embattled part-owner and coach of the Phoenix Coyotes met with the media at the team’s practice facility, and the session could have been timed with a stopwatch. Unlike Thursday’s crowded postgame scene, there were only two camera crews and fewer than half a dozen reporters on hand.

Gretzky spoke, though not specifically, about allegations of a gambling scandal involving his friend and assistant coach Rick Tocchet and Gretzky’s wife Janet Jones. Tocchet remains on indefinite leave from the Coyotes after reports surfaced last week that he allegedly helped run a nationwide gambling operation. Jones was reported to have placed substantial bets with Tocchet.

“Obviously, it’s been a difficult few days,” said Gretzky, who, as executive director of Team Canada, still intends to travel to the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy.

“But, as I said the other night, you know, I talked about it. It’s a dead issue for me now. I remain supportive for my friend and obviously for my wife. In saying that, we just got to get ready for the game tomorrow night, and get ready to go over and win a gold medal.... .

“Other than that, as I said the other night, I had no involvement. I’m not in it, and it’s unfortunate it had to transpire. But I appreciate everyone’s help and kindness. And life goes forward. All right?”

Just before the brief session, in which he again did not take questions, Gretzky acknowledged the toll the scandal has taken, saying to an acquaintance that he had had better days.

That’s been obvious since the moment Tocchet’s name came to light. Apparently, though, Tocchet’s proclivity for betting on football did not go unnoticed in the Coyote organization. General Manager Michael Barnett placed a Super Bowl bet with Tocchet, according to a source familiar with that aspect of the case. And assistant coach Barry Smith earlier told the Arizona Republic that he knew Tocchet was a frequent football bettor. He reiterated that point on Saturday in an interview after practice.

“I have all kinds of friends who bet ... ,” Smith said. “I never think it’s illegal because it really isn’t illegal to do bets [in some places]. [Tocchet] did not have anything to do with taking bets, I believe that.”