I'll Bet Rick Tocchet's a Happy Man Today

Rick Tocchet was caught by Operation Slapshot, and received two years of probation from a New Jersey court for conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling as part of an illegal sports betting ring. That investigation began over 20 months ago, and Tocchet -- an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes -- has been on an extended leave since the news of his involvement broke. Today, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that Tocchet will be reinstated back into the League on the two-year anniversary of that leave: Feb. 7, 2008.

Attorney Robert Cleary, who appeared at a press conference with Bettman, conducted an independent investigation of Tocchet for the League and found no gambling on hockey within that ring. Eric Duhatschek of the Globe and Mail has his own thoughts on what that means:

The league ultimately needed to decide if they would reinstate Tocchet on the grounds that he was mostly guilty of stupidity and poor judgment. Or if they would extend his ban from the game on the grounds that even a peripheral association with gambling - involving sports other than hockey - could call into question the integrity of the league.

"The bottom line is, if you're fortunate enough to work in the National Hockey League, you are necessarily held to a higher standard of personal conduct than in many other professions," said Bettman.

"Moreover, during his 21 months away from the game, Mr. Tocchet did not strictly adhere to the terms of our understanding - that he have no contact with NHL league or club personnel.

"In addition, and almost unbelievably, Mr. Tocchet has continued to gamble during his leave of absence, although not as frequently or in the same manner that resulted in the problems he incurred with law enforcement."

But, in the end, the NHL decided it was time to welcome back Tocchet to Wayne Gretzky's right hand. Bettman said that those looking for an admitted gambling ring leader to be banned from the NHL for longer "are not familiar with all the facts and are still focused on the original headlines."

Since Tocchet seems so fond of running numbers, here are a few to run through the heads of hockey fans going forward: