More Fans React To Loss Of Magnuson

December 19, 2003

Within 24 hours of the link being posted, close to 300 fans of Keith Magnuson's took the time to share their memories and thoughts on his passing. A handful of responses are printed below. The Blackhawks and Magnuson family sincerely thank everyone who wrote in. Part I

When I was in grade school, Keith Magnuson was a rookie. Because of him, my girlfriends and I became devoted -- if giggly -- Hawks fans. We managed to meet him and get his autograph a number of times, and he was always the nicest hero we could have had. I've often thought how amazing it was that he was so kind and patient to a pack of blushing, giggling grade school girls. When I saw him many years later, signing autographs at a card show, he was equally gracious. I still have the cover of Sports Illustrated where Keith was standing in toothless glory with his "what, me worry?" grin. I cried when I heard the news of his death. I will always remember him with great fondness and admiration. -- Tonia Lorenz, Chicago

My older brother and Keith were University of Denver classmates and scholarship athletes. My favorite memory is the story Keith told of how Sports Illustrated created his photograph as their cover boy in the spring of 1970. After a game in which he was already in street clothes, they had him scurry into the hotel room and dump a glass of water on his head to give him the "look" of a sweaty gamer after a tough NHL contest. Keith shared that story with me on more than one occasion, and I was able to have him autograph that original picture for me in 1999 after saving that crumpled cover for 30 years! He epitomized what the true meaning of the Blackhawks still is today. Tough, give-it-everything-you-got hockey! May God Bless him. -- Roger Callahan, Galesburg, IL

Keith was one of a kind. I was so shocked to hear of his passing. Two things I will never forget about him. The first was when they played the National Anthem and he stood on the line. When the song was over he had the funniest "toothless" smile I have ever seen. The second moment was three years ago when we were at the "Season Ticket Party" and me and my husband, Ken, wanted a picture with Keith and Stan Mikita. The usher told us to move along; Keith and Stan stood up and told the usher that we were there for them and if we wanted a picture with them we could take the picture. Those were true players that cared about their fans. Keith was an honest, funny and true person, and he will be sorely missed. -- Rose Peters, Chicago

Keith Magnuson was my celebrity reader during American Education Week on Nov. 21, 2003. He came to Nerge School in Roselle, IL, to read and visit my second grade classroom. We had breakfast together, talked about his Blackhawk days when my family and I went to watch him play, and life now as we both knew it. He then visited my second graders, signed numerous assignment books, and even signed a boy's Blackhawk jersey he wore to school. He read a few of his favorite kid stories and answered questions for a long while. The next week he sent us all personalized autographed pictures, and we sent him a tape he had asked for of us singing our inspirational song. He was so generous with his time and gifts. I was so excited and lucky to have met and spent time with such a wonderful man. My heart and the hearts of my students broke when we heard the tragic news. He will always be remembered by all of us for the genuinely sweet man that he was. My prayers and sympathy go out to his family. -- Julie Walker, Roselle, IL

I am deeply saddened by this loss. Keith Magnuson was my inspiration as a Chicago boy learning to play hockey.
I had #3 on my Blackhawks sweater whenever I played any kind of hockey. I played street hockey and ice hockey while proudly wearing #3. I still have my childhood jersey with "Maggie's" number. I had the great fortune to meet Keith on a couple of occasions, and I even was able to get an autograph on his book "None Against." Keith was surprised when I asked him to autograph the book for me, as this was only about 15 years ago. He commented to me while signing the book, "There aren't too many of these around!" (I was 30 years old at the time). He really was my inspiration and hero. He will be missed by every Blackhawk fan who grew up in the sixties and enjoyed the teams he was associated with. -- David Renkosiak, Kill Devil Hills, NC

Like many 13 year olds in 1969, I idolized Keith Magnuson of the Chicago Blackhawks. I received a copy of his book "None Against" for a gift the first year it was published. Years later he autographed it at a charity event. The thing I remember most about the book was a picture of Keith with a blind child on an ice rink, giving the boy a chance to "feel" what it is like to play hockey. He carried this compassion for the less fortunate to his last days on earth. But since many 13 year olds idolized him in 1969, I'm sure there are many 47 year olds today that are better people because of his influence. I know I will give what I can to the Special Olympics this coming year. -- Randy Zmudka, Gurnee, IL

I am a die-hard Hawks fan and in March 1993 my boss at the time knew Keith Magnuson. Keith called our office because he had 2 extra playoff tickets for that nights game. I spoke with Keith on the telephone and he said I could have the 2 playoff tickets, however, the problem was I would have to meet him at the Como Inn to pick up the tickets. What Magnuson didn't realize was that driving to the Como Inn to meet one of my hockey idols would not be a problem for me. I was thrilled. When my friend and I met Keith at the restaurant he not only gave us the tickets, but he invited us to have dinner with him, Cliff Koroll and some other people. Then after dinner he invited us to drive to the game with them in their van. The Hawks lost that night, but I had the best time. Keith was a great person and was good to all of his fans, and I tell every hockey lover I meet my Magnuson story. -- Debbie Becker, Vernon Hills, IL

In 1969 I went to my first hockey game. Growing up in the Chicago area, I was certainly familiar with the Blackhawks and names like Hull, Mikita, and Esposito, but I didn't know anything about hockey. Soon I found myself watching one young player named Magnuson. There was always action and excitement around him, and if you were a novice at finding the puck or who had it or wasn't supposed to have it, you only had to watch Keith. As the years passed I would always smile when I saw him on TV and tell friends, 'that's who taught me about hockey.'' I still watch hockey and go to local NHL games and enjoy the game. I just wanted to say thank you, Keith Magnuson. -- Nancy Vest, Belleville, IL

...and the city of Chicago once again weeps! The "Snow-Thrower," as Billy Reay used to refer to Maggie, has left us far too soon! Has any player with only 14 career goals ever been more beloved? Like a bloodied club fighter, Maggie lost more fights than he won, but never let down a teammate. First on the ice and last off, his love of hockey was always on display at 1800 West. Goodbye number 3; my admiration for your grit and determination will never wane! Thanks for playing the game I love with such passion and courage!!! -- T.R. Schnaedter, Des Plaines, IL

Keith was an important part of my life. My father named me after him (lucky me, his other favorite was Reggie Fleming!) My 3-month-old portrait has me wearing a white Blackhawk sweater with #3 on my arm. I saw him play many games and was at his last home game. When I got engaged, it happened on United Center ice, 10-19-95, and Keith arranged it so my wife and I would be in the Score-O game between periods. One of my first Christmas gifts from my wife was my red #3 Magnuson jersey. He was the mentor to my cousin, Michelle, the first female recipient of a Blackhawk Scholarship for hockey. She skated with him many times and he called her to keep tabs on her while she was away at school in Minnesota. I am forever grateful to Keith for his generous spirit, his great smile, and never turning away a fan for a picture or an autograph. We'll miss you always, Keith. -- Keith Strnad, Plainfield, IL

Seven years ago when I was managing my son's team in Oak Park and was playing for the Divisional Silver Stick Championship at Seven Bridges Ice Arena, I ran into Keith at the arena and asked him to step into the locker room to give the boys a pep talk. Without batting an eye he went in and talked to the boys about teamwork and playing up to each one's potential and how good things would happen. They did! We won in overtime and went on to Port Huron, Michigan, to represent our area in the Silver Stick Finals. It was the highlight of our season and the boys, our coaches and myself never forgot the pep talk Keith gave to our team. -- Ed Smith, Atlanta, GA

Keith Magnuson was the most spirited player I have seen in nearly 50 years of watching and playing hockey. From the moment he hit the ice until the last second of the game, he was the team's spirit and a driving force on defense. No matter how famous he became through his many endeavors, he was always open and friendly. I had the opportunity to meet him twice, for which I feel exceptional blessed. We did not just lose a former player, we lost a mover and shaker in Chicago. -- Rick Faierson, Minooka, IL