Hawks retire No. 3 for defensemen Magnuson, Pilote

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CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks retired No. 3 in honor of former defensemen Pierre Pilote and Keith Magnuson on Wednesday night before their game against Boston.

"I have received several awards and honors in my time, but I am truly humbled by this one," said the 76-year-old Pilote, the Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman in 1963, 1964 and 1965. The Hall of Famer played for Chicago from 1955-68.

Magnuson, killed in a car accident in December 2003, played 11 seasons for Chicago from 1969 to 1980. He was the Blackhawks' captain for three seasons and coached the team in 1980-81 and most of 1981-82.

"Although my dad and Pierre had different styles of playing, they both had one thing in common -- the love of the Indian head sweater," Kevin Magnuson said. "My dad would have been so proud to have been here today."

The No. 3 was the sixth retired by the Blackhawks and the first worn by a defenseman. The team also has retired No. 1 (Glenn Hall), No. 9 (Bobby Hull), No. 18 (Denis Savard), No. 21 (Stan Mikita) and No. 35 (Tony Esposito).

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

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