When will they learn?

When will they learn?

When will professional athletes realize they are not indestructible?

When will they grasp that when it comes to getting behind the wheel, the rules of the road and life apply to them also.

Former Chicago Blackhawks star player Keith Magnuson is dead -- killed by a drunk driver.

Charged with impaired driving causing death is former Toronto Maple Leaf captain Rob Ramage.

Ironically, he and Magnuson were returning from the funeral of cancer victim and former NHLer Keith McCreary.

Ramage will undoubtedly be attending another funeral soon -- this one will be a lot more painful since he will bear the heavy burden of blood guilt.

His life will never be the same.

Earlier, Chicago Blackhawks captain Alex Zhamnov was placed on court supervision for one year and community service for pleading guilty to driving under the influence.

Speed was involved when Atlanta Thrasher Dan Snyder died from injuries after the car he was a passenger in slammed into a wall.

Dany Heatley must bear the crushing guilt for the remainder of his days.

They just don't get it.

Time and again athletes are getting behind the wheel and destroying lives--their own and others.

They refuse to learn the tragic lessons of others and perhaps feel as if it won't happen to them -- but, it does.

Too often, they break the rules and pay the ultimate price.

Some instances of hockey players foolishly getting behind the wheel after indulging are:

* 2002: Peter Worrell of the Florida Panthers is sentenced to 10 days in jail and his license is suspended five years for driving under the influence.

* 2001: Sergei Fedorov is ordered under court supervision for one year and community service for impaired driving. Eddie Shack is fined $1,000 for driving under the influence after a charity golf event.

* 1999: Steve Chiasson crashes on his way home from a team party is killed. His blood-alcohol level is more than three times the legal limit.

* 1995: Dominik Hasek is fined $850 and community service for a drunk driving conviction.

* 1994: Chris Pronger, Bobby Hull, and Paul Holmgren score a hat trick of drunk driving convictions.

* 1993: Edmonton Oilers Dave Hunter serves seven days in jail for his third impaired driving conviction in six months.

* 1990: Mike Keenan is fined $550 and given a year's court supervision for a drunk driving charge.

* 1989: Peter Klima spends 35 days behind bars for drinking and driving.

* 1987: Calgary Flame Jamie Macoun is charged with drinking and driving after losing control of his sports car. The charge is reduced to dangerous driving and he pays $1000 fine.

* 1986: Miroslav Frycer of the Toronto Maple Leafs spends 14 days in the slammer for his second impaired driving conviction.

* 1986-1994: Bob Probert is arrested five times for impaired driving. He spends several months in jail and in rehab, but continues his NHL career.

* 1985: Pelle Lindbergh dies from injuries when his Porsche slammed into a wall. He had been drinking at a team function.

* 1984: Craig MacTavish leaves a nightclub intoxicated and kills a woman. He pleads guilty to vehicular homicide and spends a year in jail.

* 1974: Tim Horton gets behind the wheel while intoxicated and is killed when he loses control.

The full list could fill several pages but the point is made. The focus is on hockey since the instances have been so prevalent lately.

People die every day on the road from drinking and drivers, but it usually only makes the news when it is someone the public has heard of, and that is sad.

Everyone in this world is special and every victim's family feels the pain of loss and anger when someone dies so tragically.

It is a waste of human life.

What is even more lamentable is that this won't be the last time it happens to an athlete or to anyone.

There will be the proper outpouring of emotions and sympathy at the funeral this Saturday.

His wife Cindy, son Kevin and daughter Molly will be there. People will offer their condolences.

There will be the editorials about accountability and the evils of drinking and driving.

We'll read about how the family will be without daddy for the holidays.

People will speak once again about how "it's only a game and there are more important things in life," as if any balanced person isn't already aware of that.

There may be the black armbands worn on the uniforms and the moments of silence at hockey games.

There will be a deservedly fine eulogy delivered about Magnuson's life and NHL career-the scrappy defenseman was a fan favorite.

For several weeks after the funeral, close friends and fans will slowly return to their lives and speak of the loss of a great friend.

Unfortunately, we will soon read about the death or drunk driving conviction of another professional athlete and the process will be repeated and the lesson forgotten.

When will they learn?