Kukla's Korner

Time To Speak Up

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

02/09/06 at 03:50 AM ET | Comments (2)

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

It is inconceivable that Wayne Gretzky has engaged in nefarious behavior. But it is incumbent upon Janet Gretzky to come forward and explain her connection - if any - to this alleged Tocchet operation, for the longer she remains silent, the longer hockey’s shining star is exposed to speculation.
I know them both; he much better than she. I know how painful this is for them, separately and as a couple.
But they must face it, individually and collectively, and the sooner the better, for themselves and for the sport, and for others who are being tarred with guilt by association.
...The people out there know who they are. I am urging them to come forward, to say what they did, before a steady drip, drip, drip of leaks evolves into a season of torture for the league.

more (reg. req.)...including a Jagr comment…

from the Star-Ledger,

State wiretaps in the unfolding NHL betting scandal caught Wayne Gretzky discussing the multimillion-dollar gambling operation run by his friend Rick Tocchet before the ring was dismantled Monday, according to law enforcement sources.
There is no evidence Gretzky made any bets, the sources said, but the secretly recorded phone calls show the hockey hall-of-famer knew about the gambling ring, and investigators are looking into whether he placed any wagers through his wife, Janet Jones.

read on

from the Ottawa Sun,

At a time when the focus should be on all that’s great and good about this game, which will be on display next week at the Olympics in Italy, it is instead on the biggest bad news to hit this league in years.
The talk is about which players were laying bets and the talk will continue until the next bomb hits, when the authorities name names.
The other skate is yet to drop. It’s only going to get worse from here for the NHL.

more

from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun via the Ottawa Sun,

Wayne Gretzky always has put the interests of Canadian hockey ahead of his own—and now, more than ever, he should make the difficult decision and do it once again.
He should stay home rather than accompany Team Canada to the Olympics.
For the good of his beloved Team Canada. For the good of the Olympic Games.
For the good of his well-protected name.

read on

from Scott Burnside of ESPN,

Here’s what we love about hockey players. They are for the most part selfless. They believe in the celebration of the group over individual glory. They believe in individual sacrifice for a common goal. They believe fervently in the team.
If ever the game needed those qualities to reveal themselves it is now.

continued

update 4:50am, from Sherry Ross of the NY Daily News,

Gretzky was the gold standard for pro athletes, a once-in-a-lifetime performer blessed with grace and class, with never a whiff of misconduct attached to any part of his private life. Until now.
With the allegations that his wife, Janet Jones, is involved in betting with an illegal sports operation financed in part by one of Gretzky’s co-workers, former NHL player Rick Tocchet, Gretzky’s good name has been slimed, and knowingly or not, he takes the NHL down with him.

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