Rick Tocchet's in the news again, and in a familiar refrain, gambling is to blame.
The former Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach is playing in the World Series of Poker this week in Las Vegas, even as he awaits sentencing after pleading guilty in May to running a sports gambling ring. Tocchet's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17, and he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $50,000 (U.S.) fine.
Tocchet was well down the leaderboard early Monday in the World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold-em event, trailing other notables such as Celine Dion's husband/manager Rene Angelil by $12,000.
Tocchet is on an indefinite leave of absence from the Coyotes.
Also taking part in the tournament are Wayne Gretzky's wife Janet Jones and current NHLer Maxime Talbot.