Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. "It was just time. Never fully comfortable: Maple Leafs Kerfoot and the trade he dodged, Canucks commit to re-tooling over re-building with Hronek addition, On a career heater, Nugent-Hopkins four-point night helps Oilers ground Jets. Bailey has appeared in three games with the Canucks this season and was placed on injured reserve on February 12 with an upper-body injury. After playing in 64 games for the Rangers, Tony was traded to the St. Louis Blues on May 28, 1987 along with Rob Whistle in exchange for Bruce Bell and future considerations. Saunders says Demers is one of the people who taught him the work ethic and discipline that carried him until he lost his enthusiasm for the game. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. McKegney recalls no special obstacles for him or his two adoptive brothers, who are also black, as they were growing up with a racially mixed family in a city of 50,000. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. Previously, in the early '80s, one of my team's assistant coaches advised me to start dating a Black woman instead of Sue for similarly ignorant and bigoted reasons. I remember starting the season with 10 goals in the first 15 games and getting a lot of ice time. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. "Tony McKegney showed me it was possible for someone like me to play in the NHL," future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla said in author Cecil Harris' book, "Breaking The Ice, The Black Experience in Professional Hockey." "He set the example. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. I just tried to shut everything else out. It saddens me to hear the accounts of the current crop of Black players and other players of color that are still facing the same obstacles and ugly behavior that I encountered when I was their age. "I think for us growing and trying to make it into the NHL, guys like [Bernie], who help you and calm you at the right time, it was huge.". Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. Search instead in Creative? How does that make you feel? Or write about sports? He paved the way for me. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. Tony was born on February 15, 1958 in Montreal, Quebec.. Tony is one of the famous and trending celeb who is popular for being a Ice Hockey. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. They were there for me for the most part. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. McKegney had been expected to sign with Birmingham of the World Hockey Association, but the deal fell through and he was taken by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? They had talks about what to do when the racist taunts would inevitably begin don't react, don't let them get to you but sure enough, when his son was a teenager, in the late '90s, an opponent called him the N-word on the ice. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. Odds & lines subject to change. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. NHL 2023. While in Fredericton, he says the coach told him he may play a couple dozen games at the NHL level, but his main role would be to tutor the other players. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. I was scared to say a peep in class. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. His first encounter with racism happened while he was playing junior hockey after his family moved to Ajax, Ont., during his senior year of high school. He played in St. Louis for two years. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? "One of the nicest things I hear from young people is they felt because I was there playing they felt they could be accepted in hockey," McKegney told The Buffalo News in 2017. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. Boards and the whole thing. Find out more. I was the second to be adopted, McKegney, a St. Louis Blues forward, said of the white family in Sarnia, Ontario, he became part of before he was 1 year old. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Hockey was like that for me -- I was constantly focused on numbers. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. He was following in the footsteps of his older brother Ian, who had been a star with the Sarnia Legionnaires before moving on to the pros. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. In February 1988, I was interviewed for an article called "Tony McKegney Makes His Mark in the NHL," where I talked about how the season was going and importance of role models. That year, he also played against a team from Birmingham, Ala. His first game there, team executives told him he might be shot, so he went into the arena with extra protection. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. Position: LW Shoots: Left. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. I was too timid to talk to a girl. McKegney, a Montreal native who was raised in Sarnia by his adoptive family, was drafted by the Sabres with the 32nd overall pick in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. That's the biggest compliment for me.". Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). Hes won Stanley Cups.. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. It was never published. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. I take my hat off to Grant. I probably should have, and I never did that. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. He says he has moved on. He has three 30-goal seasons. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Today, Tony McKegney, the first Black player to score 40 goals in an NHL season, tells his story of overcoming racial bias and serving as inspiration for Jarome Iginla, the only other Black player to hit the 40-goal milestone. His NHL career ended with nine games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990-91, but he went on to play for the Canadian National Team, overseas in Italy with Varese HC and in the IHL with the San Diego Gulls before hanging up the skates in 1993. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). He has a copy of a newspaper article following a game in Rochester, N.Y., that mentions a fan who heard people yelling the N-word at him all night. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. I just felt defeated," he said. He is 64 years old. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. He got out of his contract, went back to Michigan and started playing for the Kalamazoo Wings, an International Hockey League team, while establishing himself at Upjohn, a pharmaceutical company. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Enter Search Term. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. 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At the age of 20, Tony signed a contract with the now defunct World Hockey Associations (WHA) team in Birmingham, Alabama only to see the owner illegally renege on the deal after fans threatened to boycott the team for having added a black player to its roster. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Two years ago, when he scored 15 times and had 25 assists, was the only season he scored fewer than 23 goals or compiled fewer than 45 points. They were around five and six years old. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. All Rights Reserved. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. (OHL). Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. In Tony's second stint in Quebec, he played in 98 games for the team until January 29, 1991 when he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jacques Cloutier. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. We didn't recognize that password reset code. Do you have a blog? Today, Tony McKegney, the first Black player to score 40 goals in an NHL season, tells his story of overcoming racial bias and serving as inspiration for Jarome Iginla, the only other Black. Things just felt right that year. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. When Saunderswas still a teenager, the family moved back to Quebec, to Chteauguay a town on Montreal's South Shore with a strong hockey tradition. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. And I just thought to myself, What are they doing out there? And I couldnt wait to go out there and join them at a year-and-a-half. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. Buy his book. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. I always said that the game is tough enough as it is just trying to survive and make it outside of having that stuff on the sidelines. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. BIOGRAPHY. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Jarome told me that he felt comfortable at the school yard because he could point to me and say, "Look, Tony McKegney's playing in the NHL.". Please contact us. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. And it wasn't hard to find a different place to live in St. Louis, which is a wonderful city that I've always enjoyed. I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Its basically black children. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . There have been 93 black players in the NHL. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. The key is for him to keep working.. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. It takes time to grow a sport, he says, and now young black kids have something he didn't: the opportunity to play the game they love with people who look like them, and to see more than one black person playing it at the highest level. Submit changes (incorrect DOB, missing stats, incorrect stats, social media links etc) using a web form and we will review your update request within 24 hours and update accordingly. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . He decided to sign as a free agent with the Nordiques because he felt they would give him the best opportunity to play right away plus, he would be reunited with Demers. Lightning. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. It barely made it over the line. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. TM: Its wonderful. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. ago] Height 6.01 -- Weight 200 [185 cm/91 kg] Drafted by Buffalo Sabres - round 2 #32 overall 1978 NHL Amateur Draft Regular Season Playoffs; He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. McKegney, a Montreal native who was raised in Sarnia by his adoptive family, was drafted by the Sabres with the 32nd overall pick in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. TM: I liked all sports. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. So, I reached out. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. tony mckegney family https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 ICC ICC https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images . I remember the dedication that my parents put into it when we were younger, driving us to rinks at 7 in the morning, he said. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. There was nothing special about the goal. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. In retrospect, I can now see how it was an important milestone for people who look like me: No Black player had ever scored 40 goals in a season not until that game against Winnipeg, where a little chip-in ended up making history. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. During his first stint in Quebec, he played for the team until December 14, 1984 when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars along with Bo Berglund in exchange for Brad Maxwell and Brent Ashton. He still remembers, almost 50 years later, the smile on Saunders's face when he was told he wasn't going back to his old team. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. SN: Given what you went through in your career, does it make it tougher to hear stories of the abuse faced by players who came after you? Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. They're too neat; too objective. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. Tony McKegney spoke about his experience being one of the few black players in the NHL and how the league has progressed since his playing days. The Nordiques didn't have a farm team that year, so he was sent to play for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, one of the Montreal Canadiens' farm teams. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. You get to keep that mask on and Im out there for everybody to see. So, I told Grant, jokingly, that I was envious of him. But it wasn't to be. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. Tony McKegney Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. He heard the N-word on the ice and from fans in the stands, and opponents always made sure to finish their checks on him. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. McKegney was supposed to play in the WHA for the Birmingham Bulls, but the team illegally voided his deal after fans in Alabama threatened a boycott. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Join our linker program. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. Year By Year Fight Totals. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. Of course, I also thought about the bonus clause in my contract, which promised $15,000 if I happened to score 40 goals (that was a lot of money in those days). It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. The sport that Saunders loved so much, the sport he says shaped him into the person he has become, has also broken his heart many times. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. Brother: Ian McKegney When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) In this article, we covered Tony McKegney's net worth, wiki, bio, career, height, weight, pics, family, affairs, car, salary, age, facts, and other details in 2022. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel He was coaching the Pickering Panthers, a Junior B team, when he suspended four players for breaking a rule and got four replacements from a lower-level team. Complete player biography and stats. Youre a great player. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. tricare fee schedule 2022, cleveland state university academic calendar, katu staff changes,