Dec. 16, 2003
The University of Denver today mourns the loss of former hockey alumnus Keith Magnuson, who was killed late Monday afternoon as a passenger in an automobile accident in Vaughan, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto.
A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Magnuson played hockey for legendary Denver head coach Murray Armstrong from 1966-69, winning back-to-back NCAA Championships in 1968 (4-0 over North Dakota at the Duluth Arena) and 1969 (4-3 over Cornell at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs). As a Pioneer, Magnuson scored 16 goals and added 59 assists for 75 points in 96 career games. He was the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's (WCHA) Most Valuable Player in 1967-68, and a two-time, first-team All-American in 1968 and 1969. Magnuson was also a three-time All-WCHA First-Team honoree in 1967, 1968 and 1969, and was the WCHA Co-Sophomore (Rookie) of the Year in 1966-67 along with North Dakota's Bob Munro.
In 1997, in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary Issue of The Hockey News, Magnuson was named the WCHA's All-Time Best Defenseman and to the All-Time All-WCHA First Team. Later that same year, Magnuson was named to the American Hockey Coaches' Association All-Time West Team and to the NCAA Championship's 21-member 50th Anniversary Team.
A former longtime National Hockey League (NHL) veteran, Magnuson, 56, lived in the Chicago area and continued to be one of Denver's and the WCHA's most visible and charismatic alums. Magnuson was a prominent part of the WCHA's 50th Anniversary Season celebration in 2001-02, being named one of the league's Top 50 Players in 50 Years and attending the WCHA Final Five and alumni receptions at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
"It is a very sad day for Pioneer hockey," current Pioneer head coach George Gwozdecky said. "Keith was one of the greatest players ever at the University of Denver. Since graduation, Keith stayed very involved with the University and the hockey program. Keith was always willing to speak with players, fans and alumni about his passion for hockey. He definitely was Mr. Pioneer."
As a longtime NHL standout, Magnuson played 11 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and in 2001 was selected as a member of the club's 75th Anniversary All-Star Team. In 657 NHL regular season and playoff games, he had 17 goals, 134 assists, 151 points and 1,606 penalty minutes. He later coached the Blackhawks for two seasons from 1980-82, with a record of 49-57-26.
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Keith Magnuson," University of Denver Director of Athletics and Recreation Dr. M. Dianne Murphy said. "Keith's accomplishments as a Pioneer hockey player helped define our rich history of championship college hockey. His passion for the University of Denver clearly transcended his playing days and his involvement with Pioneer hockey continued to shape subsequent generations of Pioneer players. As strong as his athletic career was at DU, Keith was an even greater friend of the University."
