Eagleson Pleads Guilty, Faces 18-Month Term for Mail Fraud

Facing a Boston 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 today 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, adding 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 onetime 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, as is 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 Ranger and Bruin 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.”

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 the U.S. so he could be extradited.

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Wayne Gretzky, who has played in each NHL All-Star Game since his rookie season in 1979-80, topped the list of 15 players added to the North America all-star team.

Gretzky will make his 17th all-star appearance Jan. 18 in Vancouver, against a team of World all-stars. He trails only Gordie Howe (23) in career appearances.

Gretzky, who has the most goals in all-star history with 12 and is tied with Mario Lemieux for points with 20, will be joined by three members from each of the Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils.

Defenseman Darryl Sydor, goaltender Ed Belfour and center Mike Modano will represent the Stars, and defensemen Scott Niedermayer and Scott Stevens and goalie Martin Brodeur will represent the Devils.

Other team members are wing Tony Amonte and defenseman Chris Chelios of Chicago; wings Mark Recchi and Shayne Corson of Montreal; center Joe Sakic of Colorado; wing Theoren Fleury of Calgary; center Doug Weight of Edmonton; and wing Keith Tkachuk of Phoenix.

The starters, voted on by fans, are center Eric Lindros and wing John LeClair of Philadelphia, wing Brendan Shanahan of Detroit, defensemen Ray Bourque of Boston and Brian Leetch of the Rangers and goaltender Patrick Roy of Colorado.

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Left wing Chris Simon of the Washington Capitals, suspended for three games in November for directing a racial slur at Edmonton Oiler winger Mike Grier, will miss the rest of the regular season because of an injured right shoulder.