[Deathwatch] Keith Magnuson, athlete and coach, 56

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Many MORE thanks to a very helpful reader for sending this on in - Ed.

Ex-Blackhawks Player Keith Magnuson Dies
Tue Dec 16

CHICAGO - 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 was riding in a car 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.

An official at William Osler Health Center in Toronto said Ramage was
headed for surgery late Monday but wouldn't confirm his condition.

Another woman from a different vehicle was hospitalized with non-life
threatening injuries, police said.

The accident happened at about 5 p.m., in Vaughan, a suburb just north
of Toronto.

Magnuson played for Chicago from 1969-80 and coached the team for 1 1/2
seasons.

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

Magnuson was extremely aggressive, a player who fought frequently and
didn't win very often.

To compensate for that, he took boxing lessons and would work himself
into a pique before the start of each game. He became a team leader,
who adopted coach Billy Reay's defensive mantra of "None Against." That
meant that Magnuson would strive at all costs to keep the puck out of
his own net.

Legends of Hockey.net, the Hockey Hall of Fame's Web site, quoted him
as saying he'd stop the puck with his teeth if necessary.

Magnuson, a member of the Blackhawks' 75th anniversary all-star team
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.

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

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.

Ramage, 44, played in 1,044 games in the NHL from 1979-94, getting 139
goals with 425 assists. He captained the Maple Leafs from 1989-91.

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

Funeral arrangements for Magnuson were not immediately known.