NHL Players' Association Founder to Face Federal Labor Racketeering Charges

R. Alan Eagleson, the 60-year-old founder of the National Hockey League's Players' Association, will be indicted in Boston on federal labor racketeering charges. The FBI investigation, which has been underway since 1991, focuses on allegations that Eagleson defrauded the players' union and misappropriated funds from hockey tournaments he created, including the Canada Cup. The indictment, expected this week, would mark the first time labor racketeering charges have been applied to a professional sports union figure.

Key Takeaways:

• R. Alan Eagleson, founder of the NHL Players' Association, will face federal labor racketeering charges in Boston.
• The FBI investigation, started in 1991, focuses on allegations of union fraud and misappropriation of funds from hockey tournaments, including the Canada Cup.
• Eagleson's attorney, Jeremiah T. O'Sullivan, made two trips to Washington to attempt to head off the indictment.
• Multiple pro hockey figures, including Bobby Orr, Tony Esposito, Bryan Trottier, and Wayne Gretzky, testified before a federal grand jury in Boston.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is also investigating Eagleson.
• As a former member of the Ontario Legislature (1963-1967), Eagleson headed the NHL Players' Association from 1967 to 1992.

Statistics:

• The FBI investigation into R. Alan Eagleson has been ongoing since 1991.
• The NHL Players' Association has been led by Eagleson from 1967 to 1992.
• The Canada Cup, a hockey tournament created by Eagleson, is at the center of allegations of misappropriation of funds.
• Multiple pro hockey figures, including Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky, have testified before the federal grand jury in Boston.

Sources:

• The Boston Globe, "R. Alan Eagleson to Be Indicted on Racketeering Charges," no date provided.
• No other sources mentioned in the original text.