Ronald Maki earned his nickname by being Chico Marx funny off the ice, but he was a 5' 10" -- 170 lbs. bulldog on blades when he laced up.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie in 1939, Chico was adopted by Norfolk County when he played minor hockey here in the late 1950s and married Bruce Pearce's daughter.

Chico was a member of the 1960 Memorial Cup championship St. Catharines Teepees team before being called up to the NHL.

As Bobby Hull and Phil Esposito's hard-hitting right-winger for the Chicago Blackhawks in the early 1960s, Chico was a great playmaker.  He was an All-Star with the Stanley Cup winning Blackhawks in 1961, 1971 and 1972.

A great penalty killer, Chico tied Stan Mikita's club record for short-handed goals in 1970.

During the 1971 All-Star game, Chico set a record by scoring just 36 seconds into the game.  (That record stood almost 20 years.  Mario Lemieux broke it in 1990.)   But the hockey columnists chose to concentrate their reporting onhis decking Ron Ellis during that game.

Chico and his younger brother, Vancover Canuck Wayne Maki, were both well-known for their aggressive NHL playing style. (Wayne died prematurely of brain cancer in 1974.)

Chico played for the Blackhawks 12 seasons (1961-1974), then after a year off came out of retirement for the 1975-76 season. His career totals:  841 games with the Blackhawks, 143 goals and 292 assists.

More ... photo:  Chico skating with future National Hockey League star Nelson Emerson at 1974-75 hockey camp.

Chico was inducted into our Sport Hall in 2001