Drinking and Driving, A Hockey Tradition

Add Keith Magnuson's name to the tragic list that includes Pelle Lindbergh and Steve Chiasson. While Lindbergh and Chiasson died behind the wheel, Magnuson was a passenger in the car that killed him on Monday night.

Ex-Maple Leaf Rob Ramage was driving when, according to police reports, the car swerved across the road into oncoming traffic, causing a three-car crash. Ramage, who has been charged with impaired driving causing death, carries on an unfortunate hockey tradition.

The accident happened as Magnuson and Ramage were returning to Toronto following the funeral of another retired NHL player, Keith McCreary, in Bolton, Ontario. Ramage suffered a fractured hip and other injuries believed to be minor.

Magnuson, 56, played defense for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1969 to 1980. He was renowned for his willingness to fight anyone, even though he almost always took a beating. He recorded just 139 points, but piled up 1,442 penalty minutes. Above all, Magnuson was a favorite of the Blackhawk faithful. Fans voted him to the Blackhawks' 75th anniversary team in 2000. He is a member of the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame.

There have been numerous car accidents involving high-profile hockey players, with alcohol playing a role in several.

Lindbergh, the Philadelphia Flyers all-star goalie, was drinking on November 10, 1985, before he was killed running his Porsche into a wall in Sommerdale, New Jersey.

Chiasson had been drinking at a Carolina Hurricanes' season-ending party before his truck left the road near Raleigh on May 3, 1999. He died when he was thrown from the vehicle.

Edmonton Oilers' coach Craig MacTavish was playing for the Boston Bruins in 1984, when he crashed his car into another, killing a woman. Alcohol was a factor and MacTavish served a year in jail for vehicular homicide.

There has been an inconclusive debate over how much Tim Horton had to drink after a game in February of 1974. The Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman died that night after rolling his sports car on the highway between Toronto and Buffalo.