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 . Enter your email address to get a new one. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. 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. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. 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. of 1 McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Tony McKegney. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. My mother and father -- who adopted me from an orphanage in Montreal, and who happen to be white -- built a hockey rink in our backyard every winter, where I'd skate with my siblings. by I take my hat off to Grant. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. 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. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . 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. 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. Boards and the whole thing. 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. It barely made it over the line. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. Jarome Iginla gave me a very nice compliment when he said he felt he was at home on the ice and in the school yard, because he could say, Hey, Tony McKegney, hes playing in the NHL. He felt like he belonged on a hockey rink because I was out there. I wanted to be as good as my brothers. We use cookies to improve your experience. 'We've taken one step forward and two back': Willie O'Ree on fighting racism in sports, This rural Ontario black hockey line broke barriers producing generations of star players, Being Black in Canada: Highlighting the Black experience, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. Even now, when I tell the story of the 1987-1988 season, I use a lot of numbers to explain why the season turned out so special. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. In fact, I didn't play against another Black hockey player for nearly 18 years -- when Ray Neufeld, Grant Fuhr, and I were all active in the League. All rights reserved. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals, 77 assists) in 66 games with Kingston of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League in 1976-77 and 92 points (43 goals, 49 assists) in 55 games the following season, when he also played for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Hes been an All-Star. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. 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. Go beyond the basics. 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. Season Players Videos. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. 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. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Find out more. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. More Tony McKegney videos. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. 2023 Getty Images. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. 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. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? Enter Search Term. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. 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? 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. 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. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. He is not dating anyone. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. He played in Detroit for only 14 games before being traded back to the Quebec Nordiques on December 4, 1989 in exchange for Robert Picard and Greg Adams. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. TM: No, not really. 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 1978-79 until 1990-91. 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. Transaction information may be incomplete. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. There was nothing special about the goal. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. Complete player biography and stats. The subtext of the situation was clear: Because I'm a Black man, there were certain things the homeowner felt like I couldn't or shouldn't do. Want to more about Him? 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. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. McKegney was 20, playing junior hockey for Kingston in the Ontario Hockey Association, when the Buffalo Sabres made him their second-round choice in the 1978 draft. The next season, his agent Art Kaminsky told him that must have meant the Nordiques wanted to keep him, so he went into training camp intent on making an impression. One of his greatest disappointments is not being included in conversations about the first black NHL hockey players, but he insists he feels no animosity. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. 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 I'll always be proud of the 40-goal season I had in 1987-88, the wonderful camaraderie of that Blues team, and the little chip-in that somehow found its way into the net. 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. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. After scoring eight goals in 52 games as a rookie in 1978-79, he scored 23 in his second NHL season 37 in 1980-81. You reached out to him afterwards. The key is for him to keep working.. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. 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. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. 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. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. 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. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. "People just forget me because I didn't play. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? 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. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. 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. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. McKegney was the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. Your existing password has not been changed. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Im sure it affected me. Year By Year Fight Totals. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. 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. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. But I cherish everything about that goal that found my stick in the last minute of the last game of my 1987-88 season with the St. Louis Blues. TM: We never really talked about it much. 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. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. 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. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. by Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday that former Buffalo Sabres winger Tony McKegney was arraigned before a Buffalo City Court Judge back on. SN: When you were playing hockey as youngster, there werent many black faces for you to see when you watched NHL games on Saturday nights. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. All rights reserved. I ignored that coach, of course. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. 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. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. (approx 1 - 2 per week). "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. Saunders says it's tremendous. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. He says he has moved on. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. "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. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. For more, check out this Q&A with McKegney & Sportsnet: While its we celebrate the historic achievements of Black players throughout Sabres history, its equally important to celebrate the Black players in the NHL today, including several with current or former ties to the Buffalo Sabres organization. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Its basically black children. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. Do you have a blog? And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. It's like a catch-22.". It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. '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. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. You sort of never felt like you were different. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. Brother: Ian McKegney Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. 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. The next day, the other team's coach called to apologize for what had happened, which Saunders found promising a sign that things were changing, albeit slowly. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. 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. TM: It just made me want to be better. Odds & lines subject to change. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Search instead in Creative? All rights reserved. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. 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. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. All Rights Reserved. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. 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. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. 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.". Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. 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. (OHL). "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. They were there for me for the most part. "I got a lot of feedback from people in Canada that they were accepted in the schoolyard or outdoor rink because they could point to me as being a person of color playing in the National Hockey League. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. 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? I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. It made me angry, made me sad. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. As part of the NHL's celebration of Black History Month, NHL.com will highlight great moments and important figures in black hockey history each day throughout February. But he was reassigned to the minors. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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. 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. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. 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. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. "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.".