Rick Tocchet Richard Tocchet , ( nicknamed The Rocket , born April 9 , 1964 ) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League ( NHL ) for the Philadelphia Flyers , Pittsburgh Penguins , Los Angeles Kings , Boston Bruins , Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes . He is currently an assistant coach to Mike Sullivan of the Pittsburgh Penguins . He was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for two seasons . During the 2010 playoffs he served as an analyst on Flyers Postgame Live on Comcast SportsNet . Playing career . After being drafted in the 6th round ( 121th overall ) by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft , Tocchet returned to the OHL ' s Sault Ste . Marie Greyhounds for another year of junior hockey . After registering 108 points with Sault Ste . Marie , Tocchet came to the Flyers for the 1984 – 85 season , scoring 39 points and helping the team to the Stanley Cup Finals . He was mainly known as a fighter in his early career , but soon developed his skills enough to become a respected power forward , team leader and a four time NHL All - Star . He had memorable fights with other power forwards such as Wendel Clark and Cam Neely . In 1992 , Tocchet was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins , along with Kjell Samuelsson , in exchange for Mark Recchi . In 14 playoff games , he scored 19 points , helping the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions . Tocchet became a well - travelled veteran in the league after his stint with the Penguins , taking roles with the Los Angeles Kings , Boston Bruins , Washington Capitals , and Phoenix Coyotes . Rick returned to the Flyers in 2000 , adding 11 points en route to an Eastern Conference Finals berth . Tocchet retired after 2001 – 02 season , being one of several players in NHL history to collect 400 goals and 2 , 000 penalty minutes including Brendan Shanahan and Gary Roberts . He became an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche in 2002 – 03 . In the summer of 2005 , he became an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes . On December 17 , 2005 , Tocchet took over as interim head coach for Phoenix , stepping in while head coach Wayne Gretzky was out on an indefinite leave of absence due to his mother ' s illness ( and subsequent passing ) . The team went 2 - 3 - 0 under Tocchet . Gretzky eventually resumed his duties on December 28 . Coaching career . Tocchet was named as the associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning on July 9 , 2008 . On November 16 , he was named the interim head coach of the Lightning , replacing Barry Melrose who was fired two days earlier after compiling a 5 - 7 - 4 record . Tocchet lost his first game to the Carolina Hurricanes in a shootout . Tocchet ' s first win came two games later on November 21 against the Nashville Predators . However , he would go on to lose his next nine games , and twelve of the next thirteen . On May 11 , 2009 Tocchet had the interim tag removed and was signed to a two year deal by the Lightning . Criminal charges . On February 6 , 2006 , Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint , accused of financing a nationwide sports gambling ring based in New Jersey in which several current NHL players wagered . He was expected to travel from his Arizona home to answer charges of promoting gambling , money laundering and conspiracy in New Jersey . " It ' s not a hockey - related issue , it ' s a football thing . And at this time I can ' t comment any further , " Tocchet told " The Arizona Republic " after the Coyotes practiced on Tuesday , February 7 , 2006 . On May 8 , 2006 , attorneys for Tocchet and Gretzky ' s wife Janet Jones filed notices in New Jersey that they intend to sue the state for $ 50 million each for defamation . Both Tocchet and Jones claim each have lost business opportunities in the wake of the state ' s investigation which have sullied their reputations . On August 3 , 2006 , former New Jersey state trooper James Harney pleaded guilty to conspiracy , promoting gambling and official misconduct , and promised to help authorities with their case against Tocchet and others . Harney said that he and Tocchet were 50 – 50 partners in the betting ring . On December 1 , 2006 , James Ulmer of Swedesboro , New Jersey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling and agreed to cooperate with authorities . On May 25 , 2007 , Tocchet pled guilty to conspiracy and promoting gambling . New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced on August 17 that Tocchet has been sentenced to two years probation in exchange for his plea . The NHL issued a statement from Gary Bettman , but his spokesman would not answer questions , including if Tocchet had a future in hockey . During the week of July 8 , 2007 , Tocchet played in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas . He survived the first day , but never returned for Day 2 . During a press conference on February 6 , 2008 , it was announced that Tocchet would be reinstated , and would serve as assistant coach starting on February 7 , 2008 , exactly two years after taking a leave of absence .