Former pro hockey player McBain takes plea deal in child sex case in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - A former NHL player who became a minor league player and assistant coach in Las Vegas is facing prison time and sex offender registration after taking a plea deal in Nevada state court in a case alleging he sexually assaulted a girl under 14 over a four-year period, authorities said Friday.

Michael McBain, of Las Vegas, pleaded guilty Thursday in Clark County District Court to reduced felony charges of attempted sexual assault and attempted lewdness with a child, prosecutor Alexandra Chrysanthis said.

The 35-year-old McBain remained free on $75,000 bail pending sentencing Jan. 30. He faces two to 40 years in prison and lifetime supervision as a sex offender, according to terms of his plea agreement.

McBain's lawyer, Robert Draskovich, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal (http://bit.ly/NVRZsa ) that McBain agreed to plead guilty before trial because he was remorseful and didn't want to cause the girl and her family any more pain and embarrassment. Draskovich did not immediately respond Friday to a message from The Associated Press.

McBain, from British Columbia, was drafted by the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning in 1995, and played for the team from 1997 to 1999. He played two seasons in the United Kingdom before signing with the minor league Las Vegas Wranglers.

McBain played in Las Vegas from 2003-08 before retiring and becoming an assistant coach for one season.