He was following in the footsteps of his older brother Ian McKegney (who had been a star with the Sarnia Legionnaires before moving on to the pros). TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. 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. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. Youre going to do well in the NHL. I just praised him, knowing that he was a great player and he was going to play in the NHL for a long time. 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. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Saunders says it's tremendous. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. BIOGRAPHY. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. How does that make you feel? 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. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. We only use official stats. As of this date, Sue is single. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. Tony McKegney (born Anthony Syiid McKegney on February 15, 1958) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played in the NHL for 13 seasons from 197879 until 199091. To me, there is no better example of such a player than Tony McKegney, who played 13 seasons in the NHL and was the first star of colour. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. 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. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. 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; McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. Bailey, who is biracial, currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks and is in his second season with the organization. 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. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. Tony McKegney is 64 years old today because Tony's birthday is on 02/15/1958.Tony McKegney currently lives in East Amherst, NY; in the past Tony has also lived in Saint Louis MO, Detroit MI and Buffalo NY.Tony also answers to Tony S Mckegney, Anthony S Mckegney and Anthony F Mckegney, and perhaps a couple of other names. Odds & lines subject to change. But he was reassigned to the minors. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. While in Minnesota, Tony played for the organization for 3 years until November 13, 1986 when he was traded to the New York Rangers along with Curt Giles and Minnesota's second-round pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Bob Brooke and Minnesota's fourth-round choice in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. The key is for him to keep working.. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. SN: If you had a chance to talk to the young African-Canadian and African-American kids coming into the game, what would you tell them that you wish youd known? We didn't recognize that password reset code. That fast-forwarding tends to bypass the magical middle and the stories of many players who felt alone but nonetheless accomplished great things, opening opportunities for those who followed. 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. By midseason, people started to notice. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Enter Search Term. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL 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. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. Saunders was part of a wave of black players who debuted after Willie O'Ree became the first black player in the National Hockey League in 1958. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. You learn that what matters most is their work ethic, their commitment, their passion, their personality, maybe their sense of humor -- certainly not the way they look. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. 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? He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube 0:00 / 0:44 Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 Disengage 1.53K subscribers Subscribe 947 views 8 years ago Tony McKegney ties the game. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. 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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Since then, he has played for five NHL teams - Buffalo, Quebec, Minnesota, New York and St. Louis - scoring a career-high 37 goals in 1980-81. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. But while Saunders was playing the role of helping others, he believes the Habs didn't really have any incentive to help him, since the team had its own players to develop. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. I just felt defeated," he said. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? All rights reserved. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. I was scared to say a peep in class. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. Your existing password has not been changed. 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. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, City mourns Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno as investigation into fatal fire launches, Buffalo firefighter makes 'ultimate sacrifice' in blaze that may have sparked backdraft, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Vandal damages 'brokenhearted' Russell Salvatore's tribute park in Lancaster, Chad Hall's departure from Buffalo Bills to Jaguars remains a bit of a mystery. It barely made it over the line. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. 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 was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. When the last road trip started, I thought about how meaningful it would be to end the season with a goal total that was a round number. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. There were five centermen on that team who were great passers, and when you're playing with so many good centermen, you're going to get chances every game. But by capitalizing on circumstances known by few, he has become an example for blacks who would aspire to playing in the National Hockey League. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. They were there for me for the most part. I probably should have, and I never did that. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. Check out the Black Girl Hockey Club, a non-profit organization that focuses on making hockey more inclusive for Black women, their family, friends and allies. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. He was also able to open doors and create a level of acceptance for young black players who could point to him and his contemporaries as successes. Year By Year Fight Totals. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. (approx 1 - 2 per week). Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. You reached out to him afterwards. Not a lot from opposing, players, but more so from fans, that they just couldnt handle the fact that the pure white sport, was being dominated by a black kid and that was me. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. Tony played for the Buffalo Sabres for 5 years until June 8, 1983 when he was traded to the Quebec Nordiques along with Andre Savard, Jean-Francois Sauve and Buffalo's third-round choice in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Real Cloutier and Quebec's first-round pick in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. 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. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. I ignored that coach, of course. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. TM: I liked all sports. Saunders decided that was it. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. Do you have a blog? Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. The focus was just on playing hockey. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. More Tony McKegney videos. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. 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. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Brother: Ian McKegney
Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. Find out more. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. You sort of never felt like you were different. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. 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. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. 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. 'I loved the game, but the game didn't love me': How hockey shaped one of NHL's first black players on and off the ice | CBC News Loaded. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? 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. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. Lightning. INDIANAPOLIS Along with the change in defensive coordinator with Leslie Frazier deciding to "take a step back," Bills General Manager Brando, The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge, Frazier, who turns 64 in April, plans to return to coaching in 2024, the Bills said. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. Enter Search Term. TM: Everything. 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. 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. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". He was the fifth black man to play in the league. Anytime I faced adversity, I said, Okay, Im going to put a couple of pucks in the net today for sure. And I was just going to show everybody that I was as good or better than them. Economics and demographics - there are far fewer blacks in his native Canada than in the United States - still keep blacks from following him to the pro ranks. He played in St. Louis for two years. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. He paved the way for me. by After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. 1989-1990 Regular Season Fight Card NHL (1) 1987-1988 Regular Season Fight Card NHL (4) 1986-1987 Regular Season Fight Card NHL (1) 1985-1986 Postseason Fight Card NHL (2) 1983-1984 Regular Season Fight Card NHL (1) We were all set to move, until the homeowner told us there was a problem: They didn't want to rent to us once they found out we were a biracial couple. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. It can be difficult to talk about how those views affect you as a person. But the homeowner's and the coach's comments were unwelcomed reminders that people were constantly viewing me through the lens of my race -- even when I just wanted to be a home renter, or a hockey player. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. The judge ordered McKegney, while on probation, to complete all assessments, counselling and treatments directed by his probation supervisor to deal with issues arising from domestic. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. 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. Youre a great player. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. - Improve your search rank Editor's note: As part of the NHL celebrating Black History Month throughout February, NHL.com will present first-person essays by some of the game's key Black players and executives. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. It is the 10th NHL season for McKegney, who will be 30 on Feb. 15, and one that he would like to make his best. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Reality doesn't always add up. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. Boards and the whole thing. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. Lightning. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. 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. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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. Go beyond the basics. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. After completing the 1990-91 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Tony would spend a season in Italy with HC Varese as well as three games with the Canadian National Team. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams.
How To Turn On Night Vision Ark Tek Helmet,
Seneca High School Softball Roster,
Brook Smith Louisville, Ky,
Nevillewood Country Club Membership Cost,
City Of Memphis Garbage Can Replacement,
Articles T