Keith Magnuson was born on April 27, 1947, in Wadena, Saskatchewan. Magnuson played college hockey at Denver University, where he helped the Pioneers to the NCAA championship in 1968 and 1969. Keith was a mainstay on defense for the Blackhawks from 1969 to 1979.

Magnuson was probably best known for his willingness to drop the gloves at any time, and with anybody. He still holds the Blackhawks team record for penalty minutes in a career, with 1,442. But as tough as Keith was on the ice, off the ice he was always a gentleman. He would often stay late after games to sign autographs for anybody who wanted one.

Keith played all of his 589 games for the Blackhawks before retiring due to knee injuries in 1979. But his career with the Blackhawks didn't end there. Magnuson went on to become an assistant coach under Eddie Johnston, before being hired as the Hawks' head coach in 1980. Keith had limited success as a head coach, compiling a 49-57-26 record in 132 games, but there was little doubt that he gave everything he had to the Blackhawks organization.

Today Keith lives in the Chicago area and is an executive for Coca-Cola. He makes frequent guest appearances at hockey events and is often called upon as a guest speaker at various functions.

 Season   Games   Goals   Assists   Points   PIM
1969-70    76      0       24        24      213
1970-71    76      3       20        23      291
1971-72    74      2       19        21      201
1972-73    77      0       19        19      140
1973-74    57      2       11        13      105
1974-75    48      2       12        14      117
1975-76    48      1        6         7       99
1976-77    37      1        6         7       86
1977-78    67      2        4         6      145
1978-79    26      1        4         5       41
1979-80     3      0        0         0        4
  Totals   589     14      125       139     1442