He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? I just felt defeated," he said. 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. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? "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. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Enter your email address to get a new one. The key is for him to keep working.. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. Its basically black children. 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. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. 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. 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. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? Jonathan freaked out. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. 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. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. The focus was just on playing hockey. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. 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). You have permission to edit this article. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. 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. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. Season Players Videos. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). So, for me, there were just so many good influences. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. - Improve your search rank Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. TM: Everything. So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. 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. Hes been an All-Star. It's like a catch-22.". Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. 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. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. Im sure it affected me. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. 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? Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. Or write about sports? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. There was nothing special about the goal. Lightning. Lightning. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. His father eventually returned to Nigeria, and when Tony was a year old, he was adopted by the McKegneys, a white couple that lived in Sarnia, Ontario. 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. All Rights Reserved. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Tony McKegney was born in Montreal, Canada. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. 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. 2023 Getty Images. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. Brother: Ian McKegney (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. Tony McKegney 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. I take my hat off to Grant. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. 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. Saunders says it's tremendous. 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. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? 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. 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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. I didnt talk to many people about it. It was never published. 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. 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. Tony McKegney. 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. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. 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. 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. 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. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. All Rights Reserved. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). 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. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. It barely made it over the line. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Tony McKegney is a member of famous Ice Hockey list. 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. But it wasn't to be. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Playing hockey at a high level is difficult enough without navigating the pressures of racism in society or figuring out how to respond to the supposed "fan" with a sign that says, "McKegney, grab a basketball" behind the Zamboni entrance. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel 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 jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. They were there for me for the most part. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. We use cookies to improve your experience. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. TM: No, not really. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. Gambling problem? Reality doesn't always add up. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. 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 Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. 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? When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. He says he has moved on. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". 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. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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. 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. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. 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. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. Year By Year Fight Totals. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. Boards and the whole thing. TM: Its wonderful. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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. 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. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. Comments are welcome while open. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. 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. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. He played in St. Louis for two years. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? 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. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. I ignored that coach, of course. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Things just felt right that year. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. 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. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. 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. 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. Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. 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. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. of 1 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. (approx 1 - 2 per week). SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. Find out more. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. You reached out to him afterwards. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. TM: I liked all sports. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". '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. 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. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. More Tony McKegney videos. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. 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He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. 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. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. 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. 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.
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