Former Blackhawks player Magnuson dies

[reebokkid]

TAKEN FROM NHL.COM


CHICAGO (AP) -- Former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman and coach Keith Magnuson was killed in an auto accident in suburban Toronto Monday, the team said. He was 56.

Magnuson played for Chicago from 1969-80 and coached the team for 11/2 seasons. He was riding with former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rob Ramage, Blackhawks spokesman Jim DeMaria said.

"We're still investigating, but it looks like one car crossed over the center median," York Region Const. Steve Morrell told the Canadian Press.

Magnuson, who was a member of the Blackhawks' 75th anniversary all-star team which was selected in 2001, played for Chicago from 1969-80. He had 14 goals, 125 assists and 1,442 penalty minutes in 589 NHL games. In 68 playoff games, he had three goals, nine assists and 164 penalty minutes.

Magnuson coached the Blackhawks from 1980-82 and had a record of 49-57-26.

"He was hard-nosed. He was a tough guy," DeMaria said. "He wore his heart on his sleeve. He was a great player."

Magnuson continued to live in the Chicago area and remained visible with the team until his death, DeMaria said.

"He was a member of the alumni association of the Blackhawks and of the NHL," DeMaria said. "He was always down at the United Center and he always wished the team well."

Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz issued a statement extending sympathies to Magnuson's family.

"Keith was an outstanding human being and we're all deeply saddened by this devastating loss," Wirtz said

[reebokkid]

By KIM BRADLEY AND BRIAN GRAY, TORONTO SUN

VAUGHAN -- Retired Blackhawks bruiser Keith Magnuson died and former Maple Leafs captain Rob Ramage was injured yesterday in a three-car collision north of Toronto. The death of Magnuson, 56, was confirmed last night by the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

Ramage, who led the Leafs as captain for two seasons, suffered a dislocated hip but was in stable condition in hospital, according to Canadian Press and tsn.ca. Officials at the William Osler Health Centre in Etobicoke said Ramage was being treated there but wouldn't confirm his condition.

Ramage, 44, and Magnuson were driving in a rented black Chrysler Intrepid when the collision occurred about 5 p.m. on Rutherford Rd., just east of Pine Valley Dr., in York Region.

York Regional Police would not identify the dead man.

A large contingent of present and former NHL players were in the area in nearby Bolton to attend the funeral of Keith McCreary, chairman of the NHL alumni association and a former player with Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Ramage is vice-chairman of the alumni association and Magnuson is past-chairman.

The Intrepid was heading east when it crossed the centre line and hit an oncoming Honda Civic, police said.

The Intrepid continued on in the wrong direction and hit a Nissan Pathfinder.

The Pathfinder was facing east in the westbound lanes while the black car stopped about 100 metres from the other two cars.

The female driver of the Pathfinder was also taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Ramage played 1,044 games in the NHL from 1979 to '94. He captained the Leafs during the 1989-90 and '90-91 seasons after being acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames.

He also played for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Montreal and Philadelphia.

[reebokkid]

Rob Ramage Charged

Rob Ramage was the driver of the car that killed former Hawks D-man Keith Magnuson. York Region Police have charge the 44 yrs old Ramage with Impaired driving causing death. If convicted he could serve a life sentance (25yrs.). This shouldn't have happened but my girlfriend made the point did Magunson know Ramage had been driniking? Regardless of that the is also other people involed with the accident there is another lady that was sent to hospital.

Rob is a great person but one bad choice has cost him more then a broken leg.

The Black Hawks plan to honour Keith Magnuson at this weekend's home game.

Can anyone remeber a time when we lost these many hockey players to this kind of act in the same year.

In closing it isn't the younger generation of hockey stars that just walk a thin line this year Dan Heatley and Rob Ramage were given the ulimate sentance of knowing they killed a friend while behind the wheel, and they have to live with this for the rest of their lives.