Operation Slapshot

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Operation Slapshot is the code name of an undercover police operation, spearheaded by New Jersey state police, against an illegal nationwide gambling ring. The operation was made public on February 6, 2006. Rick Tocchet, an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes -- a hockey team in the National Hockey League -- and Janet Jones -- the wife of ice hockey and NHL great Wayne Gretzky -- are currently two people who are under investigation or have been indicted with charges pertaining to the operation.[1] Also under investigation is suspended state trooper James Harney, who was allegedly Tocchet's partner in the operation.

The investigation has also referred to the possibility of an NHL team owner, half a dozen active NHL players, and other coaches and team staff members being involved in this investigation. [2] As of February 8, 2006, two more names have been mentioned as people who have been implicated by law enforcement officials: Phoenix Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick, and Anaheim Ducks center Travis Green. [3]

The ring has been mentioned to allegedly having ties to the Bruno-Scarfo crime family, which has a base of operation in and around Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. [4]