Disbarment Pursued Against Alan Eagleson
A Law Society of Upper Canada one-member disciplinary committee recommended National Hockey League Players’ Association founder and former player agent Alan Eagleson be disbarred.
Eagleson is accused of 44 counts of professional misconduct. The law society’s 44-member governing body is scheduled to act on the committee’s recommendation on Thursday. Eagleson didn’t appear at the Tuesday hearing.
Eagleson recently pleaded guilty to two counts of mail fraud in a U.S. district court in Boston and was ordered to pay about $700,000 in restitution to his former clients.
A day later, Eagleson pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud in a Canadian court. He is serving an 18-month sentence in a medium-security prison in Mimico, Ontario.
It has been a dramatic fall from grace for Eagleson, who organized the Summit series in September 1972 between Canada and the Soviets and five Canada Cup tournaments. He had been awarded the Order of Canada, the country’s top honor.
Eagleson still faces a lawsuit from former players accusing him of collusion with NHL owners. The Hockey Hall of Fame, which inducted Eagleson in 1989, will consider expelling him at its annual board meeting.
Vancouver goalie fined
In Raleigh, N. C., Vancouver Canucks goalie Sean Burke was fined $200, sentenced to 18 months probation, and ordered to complete an educational program on domestic abuse for assaulting his wife in November.
Burke, 30, must complete the education program within six months.
Burke, who pleaded guilty to the charge on Friday, was jailed for 22 hours after being arrested when his wife, Leslie, told North Carolina authorities Nov. 2 that Burke had assaulted her. At the time, Burke denied it and said they had argued.
League honors Selanne
Anaheim Mighty Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne, who scored three goals for the world team in an 8-7 loss to the North American squad in the NHL All-Star game, has been selected as the league’s player of the week.
On the ice
Pittsburgh’s Tom Barrasso stopped 35 shots and Ottawa’s Damien Rhodes made 23 saves as the Penguins and Senators played the NHL’s fifth 0-0 tie this season Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Rod Brind’Amour celebrated the birth of his first child with two goals and Ron Hextall got his fourth shutout of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 in Philadelphia.
At New York, a very well-rested Mike Richter dazzled in goal, a rejuvenated Brian Leetch scored and New York had all its goals on power plays as the Rangers defeated the St. Louis Blues 3-1.