Former NHL player Rob Ramage was sentenced Thursday in an Ontario court to four years in prison for his role in the death of ex-Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Keith Magnuson.

Magnuson died instantly on Dec. 15, 2003, when a rental car driven by Ramage, 48, veered into traffic and struck two vehicles near Vaughan, Ont., just north of Toronto.

A police officer examines the rental car driven by Rob Ramage in 2003.
(Saul Porto/Canadian Press)

Magnuson was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 56.

Before his sentencing in Newmarket, Ramage called Magnuson "a dear friend and mentor."

The former Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman added, "I can only imagine what a loving husband and father he was [and] by the grace of God, I stand here today."

Ontario Superior Court Justice Alexander Sosna called the accident "tragic and senseless."

While Sosna said Ramage was an "exemplary citizen," he insisted the sentence needed to send a harsh message to the public.

Ramage will be prohibited from driving for five years after he serves his term.

Ramage's wife broke down and cried when the sentence was handed down.

Ramage's lawyer, Brian Greenspan, said outside the courtroom that he would appeal both the conviction and sentence later Thursday at the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Greenspan expects Ramage to be released so he can return to his family in St. Louis while awaiting the outcome of his appeal.

High blood-alcohol level

The prosecution presented scientific evidence that revealed Ramage's blood-alcohol level was four times the legal limit, despite the fact none of the hundreds of people at an earlier reception could say he had one drink.

The defence contended blood and urine tests were faulty and any smell of beer on Ramage occurred from the exploding cans in the accident.

In October, Ramage was found guilty of five charges, including impaired driving causing death, which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The Crown requested a sentence of between three and five years.

Magnuson's family, which in November was awarded $9.5 million US in a wrongful death lawsuit, asked the judge at a December sentencing hearing to give Ramage to community service instead of jail time so he could speak at schools about drinking and driving.

Ramage, captain of the Leafs from 1989 to 1991, also played for the Calgary Flames and Montreal Canadiens during his 15-year NHL career.

He was freed on bail while awaiting sentencing.

Magnuson was a rugged defenceman for the Blackhawks from 1969-80, and coached the team for 1½ seasons.

He played in 589 games over 11 NHL seasons, all with Chicago.

With files from the Canadian Press