Convicted sex offender and former hockey coach Graham James pleaded guilty to sexual assault charges Wednesday.

James, who is out on bail in Montreal, addressed a Winnipeg court via a video link.

He entered guilty pleas for sexual assaults on two victims, including former NHL player Theoren Fleury.

James admitted to repeatedly sexually assaulting Fleury in Winnipeg almost three decades ago.

Charges on other counts were stayed. James previously faced nine sex-related charges involving three people.

Fleury held a press conference Wednesday. He said he doesn't like the fact James is able to plead out and avoid going to trial in the case.

"How can we allow somebody who's already a convicted pedophile to plea bargain?" asked Fleury.

But prosecutors said they will be asking for prison time for James. The Crown said there is not a joint recommendation on sentencing with the defence.

James previously pleaded guilty in the 1990s to incidents of sexual assault involving two teenage victims, including former NHL player Sheldon Kennedy.

He was sentenced in 1997 and served a three-and-a-half-year prison term. He received a pardon in 2007.

In 2010, Fleury and two other players came forward to Winnipeg police. Charges relating to the third alleged victim, 47-year-old Greg Gilhooly, were stayed Wednesday.

Gilhooly spoke out on Dec. 7. He claims James abused him when he was a teenager playing with the bantam St. James Canadians.

He said he believes James was not willing to admit in court, so prosecutors stayed the charge.

"He can play this little game and pretend that he didn't know me or that this didn't happen or he didn't abuse me. It doesn't change what he did to me," said Gilhooly.

James is scheduled to be sentenced on the charges related to Fleury and the second victim on Feb. 22, 2012.

Fleury said James, 59, should be put behind bars for the rest of his life.

"It took me 27 years to get comfortable in my own skin. To me, that's a pretty decent sentence," said Fleury.

Prosecutors said a psychiatric evaluation is being done on James prior to sentencing. They are waiting for a report.

James will have to be present in Winnipeg for the sentencing hearing in February.

Victim impact statements may also be prepared for the sentencing as well. 

- with a report from CTV's Jeff Keele