Player Spotlight: Keith Magnuson

Today, I would like put a spotlight on, so to speak, Blackhawks fan favorite Keith Magnuson.

Maggie was the teams enforcer during the 70's. He would never back down from a fight, even if that meant him gettimg pummelled on the ice. It happened alot, Keith lost more fights than he won, for sure. Maggie actually took boxing lessons in the off-season to improve his fighting abilities. I'm not sure if that helped or not, because I'm sure he has a losing record in hockey fights.

In his rookie year (69/70), Keith led the NHL with 213 penalty minutes, the following year he had a walloping 291, which at the time was a NHL record. He retired in 1980 with 14 goals, 125 assists, a +170, with 1,442 penalty minutes.

Keith was always beloved by the fans of Chicago, who respected the little redhead's courage and tenacity on the ice. Even after Maggie's disastrous run as head coach, he always remained a favorite.

Unfortunatley, Keith's life was cut short. On December 15, 2003, Magnuson was killed in a car accident in Vaughn, Ontario. Former NHL player Rob Ramage was behind the wheel, and survived . Ramage would later be found guilty of vehicular manslaughter, although the story about that sad night never seems to end.

On November 12, 2008, the Blackhawks retired Keith's #3 sweater, along with hall of fame defenseman Pierre Pilote, in a wonderful ceremony that didn't leave a dry eye in the house.

Incomplete Keith Magnuson Checklist: (with cards I have striked out)

Major Sets

1970-71 #151 O-Pee-Chee RC
1971-72 #69 O-Pee-Chee
1971-72 #69 Topps
1972-73 #71 O-Pee-Chee
1972-73 #87 Topps
1973-74 #151 O-Pee-Chee
1973-74 #44 Topps
1974-75 #75 O-Pee-Chee - NHL
1974-75 #75 Topps
1975-76 #176 O-Pee-Chee - NHL
1975-76 #176 Topps
1976-77 #125 O-Pee-Chee - NHL
1976-77 #125 Topps
1977-78 #89 O-Pee-Chee
1977-78 #89 Topps
1978-79 #34 O-Pee-Chee
1978-79 #34 Topps
2001-02 #54 Topps Archives
2002-03 #26 Fleer Throwbacks
2003-04 #55 Original Six Chicago Blackhawks (Alumni)

Major Insert Sets
2002-03 #9 Topps - Rookie Reprints

NHL small/food sets
1970-71 #73 Dad's Cookies
Team Sets
1970-71 #7 Chicago Blackhawks - Postcards [NHL]