BOSTON – Team Canada goalie Martin Brodeur says executive director Wayne Gretzky should still lead the defending gold medalists into Turin next week.
“Unless they charge him, he should be free to do what he wants,” Brodeur told The Post yesterday after Gretzky’s involvement in the Rick Tocchet gambling scandal deepened.
Brodeur may be whistling in the wind. The call is already out for Gretzky to stay home from Italy.
More significant than that, however, is the likelihood that this scandal will prevent Gretzky from ever succeeding Gary Bettman as NHL commissioner.
Gretzky would have been the ideal man to take over when Bettman steps aside, now that he has gained his salary cap. He would have been the first choice to heal some of the wounds that still fester from the lockout.
He has always been all that’s good about hockey. Integrity has always been his strongest trait, even beyond his playing skill.
Now his image is tarnished, unfairly or not, even if he didn’t place a bet. Now, his mere presence in Turin is being debated.
Brodeur, pictured celebrating the 2002 gold medal on the cover of the new Olympic hockey guide, is arguably the most visible member of Team Canada behind Gretzky, the man in charge of the team.
The Devils’ netminder allowed that Gretzky’s presence in Turin would add to the controversy there, but said Team Canada should be able to deal with it.
“I don’t say it’s not going to be [a distraction],” Brodeur said. “It’s the worst timing, and not just because of Wayne. It’s [bad for] hockey.
“It’s going to affect you. When we get to Europe there are going to be questions asked. There are going to be distractions for every single NHL player there.”
Brodeur, who said he has no betting involvement, admitted surprise that Gretzky is caught up in the scandal.
“Gretz always looked over his shoulder because guys are always going to try to take hits at him,” Brodeur said.
Brodeur said Gretzky’s main job with Team Canada, that of player selection, wouldn’t be affected.
“His job is done, to a certain extent,” Brodeur said. “The picking is over, and that’s most of what consumes his time. I don’t think this will affect that at all.”
The Canadian Olympic Committee is keeping an eye on the scandal to decide if it should act, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are believed to be monitoring matters. A police figure confirmed that a wiretapped conversation supposedly shows Gretzky having knowledge of the betting.
‘The probe into the alleged South Jersey betting ring widened again yesterday, and police sources indicated the investigation could continue for as much as a month.
“As this thing moves forward, we’re getting more and more [informative] calls into us,” one police official said. “We’ll have a pretty good picture of how extensive this betting operation is.”
An NHL source said the list of league figures being sought by the police is shorter than generally believed, but added the police may not be tipping all their cards.
Police, for their part, said the NHL has cooperated fully with their probe.
Bruin and ex-Islander Travis Green continued mum on whether he’s been contacted by police authorities. Speculation remains that Jeremy Roenick is on their interview list.
Bettman may have been disappointed that Tocchet, upon counsel’s advice, did not answer his questions in their meeting Tuesday. Bettman placed Tocchet on leave of absence with instructions not to communicate with any NHL personnel.
That requirement might not be necessary. This scandal is threatening to take down the game’s greatest icon.