Eagleson: The Fall of a Hockey Czar

Raymond B. Blake is an assistant professor of history at Mount Allison
University in New Brunswick.

Many Canadians remember clearly Alan Eagleson’s middle-finger salute
to the Russian fans as he was escorted to the safety of Team Canada’s
bench in the final game of the memorable 1972 Hockey Summit between the
Soviet Union and Canada. Most remember equally well Eagleson’s role in
several Canada Cup tournaments that provided some of the best hockey in
recent times. Some will recall, too, Eagleson as the players’ agent
who negotiated seemingly good contracts for his clients. Eagleson was
among the most powerful people in hockey. He was, simply, a hockey czar.

This book clearly shows why the most powerful man in hockey has fallen
on such difficult times and is the subject of a series of investigations
by a U.S. grand jury, the FBI, the RCMP, and the Law Society of Upper
Canada. Houston and Shoalts demonstrate how Eagleson organized the NHL
Players Association in 1967 and, through intimidation and verbal abuse
of the players he was supposed to be representing, ran it as a dictator
until he was finally ousted in 1991. He used the same tactics to control
Hockey Canada. One can only be astounded that Eagleson was able to
retain his power in all those organizations for so long.

The authors also show how Eagleson used his various positions for the
financial gain of his family, friends, and associates. Among the most
glaring examples was a one-year contract he arranged that saw Hockey
Canada pay his son to be general manager of Team Canada in 1991.
Eagleson made at least $160,000 by placing employees of his company with
Hockey Canada. He continually used money he was investing for clients
such as Bobby Orr to help his family and friends with their personal and
business interests. And, while representing the NHL Players Association,
he continued to solidify his ties with the League president and various
team owners.

Eagleson was a powerful man. Counted among his friends were influential
politicians, lawyers, the NHL president, and several team owners, sports
journalists, and businesspersons. That may explain why it took more than
25 years for those who were suspicious of Eagleson’s abuse of his
power to bring him down.

This entertaining and well-written book should appeal not just to
hockey fans, but to anyone interested in business, government, and
politics.