Ex-Nhl Union Boss Guilty Of Skimming Fraud Case Results In Hefty Fine, Wrath Of Some Of Game’s Greatest

Facing a courtroom filled with players he betrayed, former NHL union chief Alan Eagleson pleaded guilty Tuesday to mail fraud and awaits prison in Canada.

Eagleson was fined $697,810, or $1 million Canadian, for skimming the pensions and disability insurance of players he once represented.

He also was sentenced to one year of probation so he can return Wednesday to Toronto, where he has agreed to plead guilty to related charges and accept a sentence of at least 18 months. Under Canadian law, he could be out in three months.

“If the Canadian courts do not sentence you to a prison term of at least 18 months, you will begin to face the prospect of prison in the United Sates,” U.S. District Judge Nathaniel Gorton said, computing that U.S. sentencing guidelines recommended a sentence of 41-51 months.

Some of the sport’s biggest names packed the federal courthouse to witness the downfall of their one-time hockey czar: Bobby Orr, Brad Park, John Bucyk, Woody Dumart, Milt Schmidt and Frank Mahovlich. They are all members of the Hockey Hall of Fame, like Eagleson, who was inducted as a builder in 1989.

Park wants Eagleson ousted from the Hall of Fame in Toronto.

“If they do not, I will request that I be removed,” the former Rangers and Bruins great said, adding he has spoken to two dozen enshrined players who feel the same way. “I will not be on that wall with that man.”

Scotty Morrison, chairman of the hall, told The Associated Press on Monday that no inducted athlete has ever been removed from a major Hall of Fame.

“We’re not going to put our heads in the sand and run away from it,” he said. “But only after the court matter is concluded would it be taken up by our board.”

Eagleson, who had been a fugitive from U.S. justice since 1994, had been indicted on 34 charges that included racketeering, embezzlement, fraud and obstruction of justice. But under a deal worked out with U.S. and Canadian authorities, he was spared prison in this country so he could be extradited.

Wearing a pin denoting the “Order of Canada,” his homeland’s highest civilian honor, Eagleson quietly answered the judge’s questions and pleaded guilty to three counts of mail fraud.

Prosecutor Ben Clement noted that Eagleson had taken more than $1 million (in Canadian money) from players’ retirement funds and used it for gifts, clothes, theater tickets and a London apartment.

“He did this all in the name of greed - a guy who had a lot and wanted still more. He basically stole money from disabled players,” U.S. Attorney Donald Stern said, calling Eagleson’s actions “the lowest blow possible.”