Power Play: The Memoirs of Hockey Czar Alan Eagleson

Julie Rekai Rickerd is a Toronto broadcaster and public relations
consultant.

Hockey genius R. Alan Eagleson, O.C., Q.C., finally has a forum in which
to refute the slanderous accusations aimed at him for years by a small
group of “dissidents” envious of his achievements and power as
executive director of the National Hockey League Players Association
(NHLPA).

He has been repeatedly attacked regarding his leadership of the
powerful hockey players’ union. Yet there has been no substantiation
of accusations ranging from financial misconduct, conflicts of interest,
and lack of consultation on financial decisions to charging excessive
rent for the union’s office. The attacks came to a climax in the
summer of 1989 when, after many emotionally draining days of NHLPA
meetings, Eagleson was completely cleared of all charges.

This memoir also contains a welcome explanation of his and his
family’s relationship with the great hockey star, Bobby Orr, a
relationship that began when Orr was in his teens and tragically soured
when, due to knee injuries, Orr could no longer be a star. Orr, for no
apparent reason, severed his relationship with Eagleson, who had been
his agent, manager, and great friend since Orr’s beginnings in hockey.
Orr alleged a series of (once-again unsubstantiated) complaints against
Eagleson through members of the media, who were all too happy to write
about them without the facts.

As necessary as it is for Eagleson to clear the air of the attempted
sullying of his reputation, his book—written in the manner that he
lives: with vigor, humor, and integrity—is also a history of his
remarkable achievements. As a young man he juggled as many occupations
as were available. He swam and played lacrosse competitively while
breezing through school with top marks. He was always an organizer and
through hard work and quirks of fate became a lawyer, agent, politician,
and leader of the NHLPA. As if that were not enough, he soon began his
quest to put Canada on the map of international hockey. Although retired
from the NHLPA after 25 years, he continues to represent the Association
in international matters.