I don't talk much about the taunts and racial slurs I faced in youth and minor hockey. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. by Jarome Iginla. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. I went to [Daley] and said, Hey, how are you doing and how are you feeling? I just wanted to reach out and say, Been there, just keep at it. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Following his time in Buffalo, he spent two seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, then made stops in Minnesota (North Stars), New York (Rangers), St. Louis and Detroit before finding his way back to Quebec. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. 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 . tony mckegney family He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. 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? One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. I know there werent very many [black players]. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Saunders decided that was it. 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. 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. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. Jets on Sportsnet, Marchment, Pavelski end droughts as Stars dominate Avalanche, Cooper on benching Stamkos, Kucherov, Point: 'Weren't giving us the best chance to win', Bertuzzi sets up goal, Bruins stretch winning-streak in win over Rangers, Lightning fall to Sabres, bench Kucherov, Stamkos, Point for third period, {* backButton *} You sort of never felt like you were different. 82 Tony Mckegney Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". By midseason, people started to notice. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. 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. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. 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. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. 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. 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. All rights reserved. McKegney would remain with the Sabres through the 1982-83 season before enjoying a lengthy NHL career that took him across the United States and into Canada. 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 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. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. 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. Position: LW Shoots: Left. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. All Rights Reserved. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. '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. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. 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 was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. 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. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. They were around five and six years old. 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. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? Tony McKegney Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. We only use official stats. Tony McKegney - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . 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. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Lightning. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. 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. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. Youre a great player. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. 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. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. Data Provided By Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. 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. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. 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. ST. LOUIS (AP) _ If not for an early twist of fate, Tony McKegney would probably not be plying his talents in a sport that is essentially all white. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Enter Search Term. He says he has moved on. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. Hes had the most success. "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. Tony McKegney Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. 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. We present them here for purely educational purposes. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Jonathan freaked out. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney 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. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. It was never published. Tony Mckegney - ABC7 Chicago All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. So, I reached out. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL - Improve your search rank Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. (approx 1 - 2 per week). Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. 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. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. But it wasn't to be. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. Buy his book. When submitting content, please abide by our, Hockey Night in Canada: Senators vs. Blue Jackets on Sportsnet, Watch Hockey Night in Canada with Steve Dangle: Oilers vs. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. It's like a catch-22.". 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. Find out more. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. 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