Red Baron 0 Report post Posted December 16, 2003 TSN.ca Staff 12/15/2003 TORONTO (TSN.CA) - Former Chicago Blackhawks captain Keith Magnuson was killed in a car accident near Toronto on Monday. "Keith was an outstanding human being and the Blackhawks extend their deepest sympathies to the Magnuson family," said Blackhawks president William Wirtz. Magnuson, 56, played his entire 10-year NHL career with the Chicago Blackhawks after signing as a free agent out of the University of Denver in 1969. He was coming off a brilliant college career that included multiple all-star nominations and a WCHA MVP award. He was also named MVP of the 1969 NCAA Championship Tournament after leading Denver to its second straight title. In 1997, he was named to the NCAA's all-time team. A defensive specialist who once said he would stop the puck with his teeth to keep it out of the Blackhawks' net, Magnuson scored only 14 goals and 139 points in his 589 NHL games. He was, however, always a fan favourite thanks to his gritty style of play. One of the league's toughest players, Magnuson amassed 1,442 penalty minutes. He was a two-time NHL all-star and was named to the Blackhawks 75th anniversary team in 2001. In 1970, his trademark red mop and toothless grin were featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated to highlight an article on the NHL playoff race. Magnuson played in two Stanley Cup Finals with the Blackhawks. After retiring as a player, Magnuson was immediately made an assistant coach. One year later, he was promoted to the head coaching job after Eddie Johnston was fired. Magnuson lasted a season-and-a-half before the Hawks let him go, too. Former Toronto Maple Leaf captain Rob Ramage is in an Etobicoke hospital with non-life threatening injuries as a result of the three-car accident. Ramage and Magnuson were reportedly in the same vehicle. A woman from a different vehicle was in hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said. Seargant Igor Chomiak of the York Regional Police said one car apparently lost control, ultimately involving two others. Police say they are checking to see if alcohol was a factor in the crash as part of their investigation. Ramage and Magnuson were reportedly travelling back to Toronto after attending the funeral of former NHL player and NHL Alumni Association chair Keith McCreary, who died last week after a battle with cancer. Magnuson is the association's past chair while Ramage is vice-chair. The funeral was being held Monday afternoon in Bolton. Ont., just northwest of the city. Ramage, a retired NHL veteran of 15 seasons, has been doing broadcast work in St. Louis. Ramage suffered a broken femur, amongst other minor injuries, and was scheduled to have surgery at William Osler Health Centre. Ramage, 44, played 1,044 games in the NHL from 1979 to 1994. He captained the Maple Leafs from 1989 to 1991. He also played for the Colorado Rockies, St. Louis, Calgary, Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Montreal and Philadelphia. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=64498 My condolences to the family and friends of the Magnuson family... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 16, 2003 Ramage has been charged with impaired driving causing death. Fuckwit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2003 I just caught this on my local news, and it's a real shame to see another hockey player die in a reckless car crash, after Snyder and Heatley in Atlanta. Especially when it's a former Black Hawk, and a talented one at that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2003 Yep. There he is. Everyone had nice things to say about him on the news today. In related Chicago sports news, apparently our local sports anchor at WLS, Mark Giangreco, has a son who is an impressive hockey player. It'd be cool if he can rise to the NHL and save the Hawks, provided there's an NHL for him to save the Hawks in by then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2003 I'll say the same thing about Ramage that I said about Heatley - toss him in the slammer for a few years... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChris 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2003 Heatley wasn't toasted, though. I'm a lot more sympathetic toward Heatley than toward Ramage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted December 17, 2003 Heatley wasn't toasted, though. I'm a lot more sympathetic toward Heatley than toward Ramage. I'm not. Ramage should have known better because he was drunk. Heatley should have known better because he was driving recklessly. Different situations, similar results. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
