PLAYERS' SUIT AGAINST NHL/TEAMS OVER EAGLESON CASE DISMISSED

          A Federal Court of Appeals upheld an August '98
     decision of the U.S. District Court of Philadelphia
     dismissing a suit claiming the NHL and its teams were
     responsible for the actions of former NHLPA Exec Dir Alan
     Eagleson, according to Jonathan Poet of the OTTAWA CITIZEN. 
     Former NHL players Dave Forbes, Rick Middleton, Brad Park,
     Ulf Nilsson and Doug Small filed a class action suit in '95
     on behalf of nearly 1,000 players who played during
     Eagleson's "tenure" at NHLPA.  The players alleged that the
     league and teams were liable under the Labor-Management
     Relations Act and federal racketeering laws because they
     knew Eagleson was misusing union funds to "enrich himself,"
     but allowed him to "continue unrestrained."  The suit was
     originally dismissed because the players were aware of the
     allegations against Eagleson, and the four-year statute of
     limitations in civil racketeering cases had run out.  Marty
     Oberman, counsel for the players, is "reviewing" the ruling,
     and has not decided whether to appeal (OTT. CITIZEN, 10/19).