When Bobby Orr threatened to remove himself from the Hockey Hall of Fame 

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Mar 10, 2023 17:56 GMT

Bobby Orr is a legendary former professional ice hockey player from Canada. He built a reputation for his remarkable all-round defensive and offensive performances in the NHL and is highly regarded despite his retirement four decades ago. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 at the age of 31.

Orr's long-time agent Alan Eagleson was inducted as a builder 10 years later. However, he resigned nine years later, just days before a vote was scheduled to determine if he should be expelled from the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame had no plans to remove him, but had to after the likes of Bobby Orr, Ted Lindsay and Brad Park threatened to renounce their membership if he was not removed.

Eagleson was convicted of fraud and embezzlement. He was also sent to jail after it was revealed that he had abused his position for many years by defrauding his clients.

Orr once revealed that he saw Eagleson as a "big brother," but he ended their relationship when he realized that Eagleson wasn't being completely honest with him with regards to negotiations.

Orr was particularly disheartened when he found that Eagleson had misled him into signing a contract as a free agent.

In addition to misrepresenting the terms of contracts to his clients, Eagleson made money off the NHLPA pension fund. He was ultimately found guilty in both American and Canadian courts, receiving a sentence of 18 months in a Canadian jail, of which he served six.

Bobby Orr was one of the greatest to ever grace a hockey rink

The NHL waived the required three-year waiting period for induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame for Orr. After more than a dozen knee operations forced him to retire early in 1979, he was inducted at age 31, making him the youngest player ever to be honored in that manner and one of just 10 whose waiting period was waived.

Orr's popularity contributed to the NHL's expansion in America. His number 4 jersey, which the Bruins retired in January 1979, was beloved by American fans and his name is commemorated on Canada's Walk of Fame.

Following his playing career, Orr temporarily worked as an assistant coach for Chicago, served as a consultant for the NHL, and worked with the Hartford Whalers. He spent the majority of his retirement years as a bank executive in the Boston region.

He works as a player agent in Boston right now. In the CHL Top Prospects Game, Bobby Orr oversaw a team of elite Canadian Hockey League players competing against a team led by Don Cherry.