Rob Ramage

Playing career

Ramage played three junior seasons with the London Knights as a defenceman and shared the OHL's Max Kaminsky Trophy with teammate Brad Marsh for most outstanding defenseman in his final season. The Knights later retired his sweater number 5. Because his birthday fell 12 days after the NHL draft eligibility cutoff, he signed with the WHA's Birmingham Bulls, becoming part of the "Baby Bulls" group of young players. He was named a First Team All-Star in his WHA rookie season.

After the WHA folded, Ramage entered the 1979 NHL entry draft and was selected first overall by the Colorado Rockies. In his first NHL season, he inadvertently made history: during a game against the New York Islanders, a delayed penalty led to the Rockies' goaltender leaving the ice for an extra skater. Ramage made a blind pass from the corner that went the length of the ice into his own net, and because Islanders goaltender Billy Smith was the last to touch the puck, Smith became the first NHL goalie credited with a goal.

After three seasons with the Rockies, Ramage was traded to the St. Louis Blues for a first-round draft pick. With the Blues, he posted a career-best 66 points in the 1985–86 season, a Blues team record for a defenceman, and added 11 points in 19 playoff games as St. Louis reached the Stanley Cup semi-finals.

Personal

Rob Ramage went to Byron Northview Public School and Saunders Secondary School in London, Ontario. Before January 23, 2009, he worked as a broker at the Clayton, Missouri branch of Wachovia Securities. In December 2011, he became an assistant coach for the London Knights after Dale Hunter left to coach the Washington Capitals. On July 30, 2014, he returned to the Montreal Canadiens organization as a player development coach. He now serves as head coach of the St. Louis Blues Warriors. Ramage is married with three children; his son John was drafted by the Calgary Flames in 2010 and played NCAA hockey for Wisconsin.

Death of Keith Magnuson and impaired driving conviction

On December 15, 2003, Ramage was driving former Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Keith Magnuson to an NHLPA alumni meeting when his rented Chrysler Intrepid swerved into oncoming traffic near Toronto and collided with another vehicle, killing Magnuson and injuring the other driver. Ramage was charged with impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death. His defense lawyer argued that blood and urine tests were flawed and that the smell of alcohol came from beer cans that exploded in the crash.

On October 10, 2007, Ramage was found guilty on all counts. The Magnuson family had forgiven him and urged the judge not to impose prison time, suggesting instead that he speak to teens about drinking and driving. On December 3, 2007, a Missouri civil suit found Ramage and National Car Rental of Canada liable for Magnuson's death, awarding $9.5 million. On January 17, 2008, Ramage was sentenced to four years in prison, described by legal experts as the harshest sentence ever given in Ontario to a motorist with no prior drinking-and-driving record.

He remained free on bail until his appeal was denied on July 12, 2010. He began serving his sentence at Frontenac Institution in Kingston, Ontario, in July 2010. His first application for day parole was denied in March 2011, though he was granted monthly three-day unescorted absences. A second request for day parole was granted on May 5, 2011, with conditions barring alcohol and restricting visits to establishments where alcohol is the primary focus; he must also undergo psychological counseling and is prohibited from driving. His sentence expired in July 2014.