Former NHL player Rick Tocchet has pleaded guilty for his role in running a multimillion-dollar illegal sports betting ring, but has denied placing any bets on hockey games.

The former NHL star, who is on leave from his job as Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to promote gambling and promoting gambling in a New Jersey courtroom on Friday.

But Tocchet may not have to serve jail time as such offences usually do not carry a sentence for first-time offenders.

Hockey writer Roy MacGregor said the betting ring will likely be seen as a smudge on hockey, but not a major scandal.

"I think the hockey world will shrug its shoulders and say, 'Well, that's Rick, how stupid,' and move on," he told CTV News.

Tocchet was an assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes under Wayne Gretzky when the case broke in February 2006, right before the Olympic Winter Games.

Gretzky has denied having anything to do with the betting ring.

"I'm not involved, I wasn't involved and I'm not going to be involved," he said.

Tocchet, 43, has played for a number of teams including the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins, during his 18-year career before making the transition to coaching.

He is the third person to plead guilty in the case, which New Jersey authorities billed "Operation Slapshot."

Prosecutors allege that the ring handled US$1.7 million in wagers during a five-week stretch that began at the end of 2005, with bets mainly on football games, including the Super Bowl. Authorities said there were no bets on hockey games.

Tocchet did not speak during Friday's court hearing except to answer yes or no questions. When asked by his attorney if he ever bet on professional hockey, Tocchet said "no."

The maximum sentence for the charges Tocchet pleaded guilty to are 10 years in prison and a US$50,000 fine. Paw would not say whether prosecutors will ask for jail time for Tocchet.

State Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw would not say whether prosecutors will ask for jail time for Tocchet.

"It's a huge operation and I think it exposes to people the allure of gambling, illegal gambling, in New Jersey,'' Paw said outside the courthouse.

It's unclear if Tocchet would resume his post as assistant coach if he doesn't serve jail time.

"I think you'll see Rick Tocchet try to get back behind the bench with the Phoenix Coyotes as quickly as possible. Then the question is: What will the NHL do?" TSN's Molson That's Hockey host Gino Reda.

NHL officials have said their independent counsel is considering the next step.

"They have been asked repeatedly would Rick Tocchet be able to come back into the NHL and back behind the bench as assistant coach if he was cleared of these charges and once he got through with the probation period. The NHL, at this point, says they want to reserve comment on that until they hear from their own independent counsel," Reda told CTV Newsnet.

Authorities accused several current NHL players and Janet Jones, Gretzky's wife, of placing bets in the gambling ring. But Jones was not charged in the case.

In December, James Ulmer pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling as part of the same case.

In August, former New Jersey State Trooper James Harney pleaded guilty to helping run a gambling ring.

Harney, an eight-year veteran with the state police, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, promoting gambling and official misconduct in a negotiated deal.

Harney, 40, initially faced more than 25 years in jail, but the plea bargain reduced his maximum sentence to seven years.

With a report by CTV's Roger Smith in Ottawa