NHL Plans to Be Tough

Any NHL player who placed bets with the gambling ring being investigated by New Jersey authorities could be fined or face suspension, even if they are found not to have broken the law, according to Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner and chief legal counsel.

The gambling operation, which became publicly known last week, so far has led to charges against three men -- New Jersey state trooper James Harney, Phoenix Coyote assistant coach Rick Tocchet and a third man, James Ulmer. Arraignment is set for Tuesday.

As many as 12 former and current players are believed to have placed bets, though none apparently on hockey.

The case also has ensnared Janet Jones, wife of Wayne Gretzky.

Meanwhile, authorities have no plans to interview Gretzky after the Winter Olympics, according to James Hagerty, a spokesman for the New Jersey attorney general’s office. Gretzky is in Turin as executive director of Canada’s hockey team.

Hagerty, asked Wednesday if Gretzky would be interviewed once the Games ended, said, “That’s absolutely wrong.”

Jones, who accompanied her husband to Italy, reportedly placed as much as $100,000 in bets in the ring, which authorities allege was financed by Tocchet, a longtime friend of Gretzky, coach of the Coyotes. There is no evidence reported that Gretzky himself ever bet.

Within days of the case being made public by the New Jersey state police, the NHL launched its own investigation. Daly said Wednesday that any player determined to have acted in a way “detrimental” to the league would be sanctioned.

Attorney Robert Cleary is conducting the investigation.

Only two players have had their names linked to the case as bettors thus far.

The Kings’ Jeremy Roenick is believed to have bet about $100,000. The Boston Bruins’ Travis Green reportedly also placed bets.

Neither is expected to be charged in the case, sources said.

NHL Players Assn. officials did not respond for comment Wednesday.

Players contacted also declined to comment. Union officials have advised players to seek legal counsel if they are questioned by either police or league investigators.

Meanwhile, New Jersey investigators are in the process of interviewing “anyone connected with the case,” Lt. Gerald Lewis, spokesman for the state police, said Wednesday.

Tocchet, who was not taken into custody when Harney and Ulmer were arrested, will have his bail set next week. Harney is free on $100,000 bail. Ulmer, whom authorities consider an underling in the operation, is free on $50,000 bail.