The next time votes are cast for election to the Hockey Hall of Fame, if the criteria is based on heart, determination, dedication to others, and promoting the positive aspects of the sport, there is no doubt in my mind that the unanimous choice on all ballots would go to Keith Magnuson.

Statistics aside, I can't think of a more deserving individual than Maggie. I was fortunate to see him play during his entire Blackhawk career and get to know him personally for more than 30 years. It was less than two weeks ago at the Hawks-Phoenix game on December 7 when we spoke.

He was at the game with his long-time friend and teammate Cliff Koroll. He thanked me again for the stories in my book on the Hawks and how much he enjoyed it, which he had told me before. It wasn't necessary but that gesture was so typical of a kind, considerate person that he was. He always took time for people with a smile, a handshake or ask what he could do for you.

Maggie typified the spirit of Blackhawk hockey, which the Chicago fans appreciated. He was not a dirty player who took cheap shots, even though he piled up penalty minutes that would amount to a total of more than two dozen games in his career.

He never backed down from a fight, always sticking up and protecting his teammates. That caring on the ice for others continued off the ice after his hockey career and up until his untimely death. He was a driving force for the establishment of the NHL Alumni Association and carried that forward as President of the Blackhawk Alumni group. As fate had it, he was attending the funeral of Keith McCreary, who had succeeded him as chairman of the NHL group.

There are many stories about Keith that are running through my head. In interviewing him for "Tales from the Chicago Blackhawks," he related how his agent had asked then Hawk general manager Tommy Ivan for an unheard of amount of money to sign with the team after leading Denver University to their 2nd straight NCAA championship. Although the agreed contract was nowhere near the original demand, Maggie told me that Ivan didn't know that he would have played for nothing.

In his first season (1969-70), Maggie played with fellow Denver grads Cliff Koroll and Jim Wiste, along with another collegiate star, goalie Tony Esposito, as the Hawks went from last to 1st place. Maggie set a Hawk record for penalty minutes in his rookie campaign and did not score a goal, even though in the final game of the season Montreal pulled their goalie -- but he missed several shots at the open net.

He had many memorable fights with Philadelphia's Dave Schultz and got under the skin of the Boston's Bobby Orr. While he was cheered by Hawk fans, he was booed on the road when he defended his teammates.

Although not a goal scorer, one of his most memorable came in the 1975 Stanley Cup playoffs against Boston. It was his last and 3rd career goal in the playoffs. The Bruins were Stanley Cup finalists the year before led by Orr and Phil Esposito. It was a best-of-3 series and Boston had the home ice edge.

In the first game, the Bruins rolled to an 8-2 rout. Back at Chicago Stadium, the Hawks rallied for a 4-3 overtime decision on Ivan Boldirev's goal to send the deciding game back to the Boston Garden. Maggie scored the 1st goal of the game and Tony Esposito starred in goal as the Hawks upset the Bruins 6-4 to take the series.

In the deciding game of the heartbreaking loss to Montreal in the 1971 finals, Maggie hung his head at his locker stall with his equipment on for almost an hour after the game. He somehow felt it was his fault he couldn't catch the speedy Henri Richard on the breakaway winning goal. It wasn't.

Everyone who had an opportunity to come in contact with Maggie over the years should hold their head high for knowing a wonderful, compassionate person who never wanted to say no to anyone and would always say, "What can I do for you?"

Maggie will be missed by all and I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

Got a question or comment for Harvey? Send it to: askthehawks@chicagoblackhawkscom. Copies of Harvey's book "Tales from the Chicago Blackhawks are available now at Fandemonium and HawkQuarters.

Harvey Wittenberg was the Blackhawks Public Address Announcer from 1961-2001. For the past two seasons, Harvey has written a regular column for chicagoblackhawks.com, in addition to conducting video interviews with Blackhawk players and coaches.