The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. Lightning. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. 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? Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. {{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. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. Hes been an All-Star. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. He paved the way for me. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! 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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. 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. Jarome Iginla. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. Enter Search Term. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. 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. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Carbonneau, a Hall of Famer who played and coached for the Canadiens and now works as an analyst, remembers Saunders as an honest player and hard worker someone who could do pretty much anything on the ice and served as a veteran presence on the team. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. 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. 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. 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. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. Some may find that number low. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). 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. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. Data Provided By Your existing password has not been changed. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. 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Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. Bailey, who is biracial, currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks and is in his second season with the organization. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Why did you feel like that was necessary? TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. So, I reached out. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. by Reality doesn't always add up. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. 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. "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. 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. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. I was too timid to talk to a girl. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. 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. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. 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. He is not dating anyone. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. Today we look at former NHL forward 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. That is a great start and I am looking forward to rooting for the Black players drafted in the past few years who are going to carry on this legacy. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. You sort of never felt like you were different. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. That's the biggest compliment for me.". - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. by Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. We use cookies to improve your experience. TM: It just made me want to be better. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. You reached out to him afterwards. 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. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. 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. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. "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. Comments are welcome while open. Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. They're too neat; too objective. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. 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. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. TM: Its wonderful. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. But on the. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Boards and the whole thing. 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. 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. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. 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. Im sure it affected me. . If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. 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. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. 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. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. Things just felt right that year. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. 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. 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. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. 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. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). 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. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. All rights reserved. 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. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. 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. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. Search instead in Creative? 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) of 1 TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. 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. Enter your email address to get a new one. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Buy his book. 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. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. 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. Wikifamouspeople has ranked Tony McKegney as of the . 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. 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 *} 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. One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. "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. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. Saunders says it's tremendous. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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. 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. I know there werent very many [black players]. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. "I was incredulous. 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. 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. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. 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. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. I just felt defeated," he said. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings.