Football
Associated Press 16y

Jury awards $9.5 million to family of former Blackhawks star Magnuson in wrongful-death suit

CLAYTON, Mo. -- A jury awarded $9.5 million Friday to the
family of former Chicago Blackhawks star Keith Magnuson in a
wrongful-death lawsuit against former NHL player Rob Ramage, whose
drunken driving accident left Magnuson dead.

Magnuson's wife and two children filed the suit against Ramage
and National Car Rentals of Canada.

Magnuson was a passenger in the rental car driven by Ramage that
was involved in a head-on collision in suburban Toronto as the men
were returning from a funeral on Dec. 15, 2003. Magnuson died at
the scene. He was 56.

In closing arguments, attorneys for the Magnuson family
suggested a range of compensation of $25 million to $33 million.
The jury deliberated about two hours.

"I thought it was a fair result," said Grant Davis, an
attorney for the Magnuson family. "We believe justice has been
served and this will bring closure to a horrible tragedy."

Beth Boggs, attorney for National Car, told the jury a verdict
of $2.5 million would provide fair compensation.

Ramage's attorney, Scott Harper, made a brief statement telling
jurors at the end of the case, "Rob accepts responsibility for the
death of Keith Magnuson and awaits your verdict."

Ramage was convicted in October in Ontario of impaired driving
causing death and four other charges. He could get up to 15 years
in prison at sentencing on Jan. 17.

Magnuson was a rugged defenseman for the Blackhawks from 1969-80
and coached the team for 1½ seasons. He played in 589 games over 11
seasons, all with Chicago.

The 48-year-old Ramage, of Chesterfield, Mo., did not attend the
four-day trial.

In a written statement, the Magnuson family said it is forming
the Keith Magnuson Charitable Foundation "to make something
positive come out of this horrible tragedy."

As for Ramage, the Magnusons' statement read, "Rob Ramage is a
good man who made a mistake.

"We forgive Rob for the accident and we hope nothing but the
best for him and his family."

Ramage played in the NHL from 1979-94, totaling 139 goals and
425 assists. He captained the Toronto Maple Leafs from 1989-91. He
also played for Colorado, St. Louis, Calgary, Minnesota, Tampa Bay,
Montreal and Philadelphia.

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