Or write about sports? Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Buy his book. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. You learn that what matters most is their work ethic, their commitment, their passion, their personality, maybe their sense of humor -- certainly not the way they look. Jarome Iginla. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. 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. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. 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. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. {{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. INDIANAPOLIS Along with the change in defensive coordinator with Leslie Frazier deciding to "take a step back," Bills General Manager Brando, The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge, Frazier, who turns 64 in April, plans to return to coaching in 2024, the Bills said. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. 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. Data Provided By Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. Hes been an All-Star. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. Complete player biography and stats. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. 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. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. 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. 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. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). 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. 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. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. 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. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. I know there werent very many [black players]. 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. Find out more. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. 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. "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.". His supporters created a fan club. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. They're too neat; too objective. 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. 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. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. 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. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. Position: LW Shoots: Left. 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. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. Comments are welcome while open. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. 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, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. (OHL). "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Its basically black children. Want to more about Him? He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. 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. 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 signed with the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association, but that news generated a great deal of hate mail, etc., in the South. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. He played in St. Louis for two years. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Collect, curate and comment on your files. Saunders says it's tremendous. Go beyond the basics. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Jonathan freaked out. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. 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. 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. We use cookies to improve your experience. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. Wikifamouspeople has ranked Tony McKegney as of the . It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. Odds & lines subject to change. As of this date, Sue is single. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. But on the. 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. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney 20 Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images All News Archival Browse 20 sabres tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. 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. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. Transaction information may be incomplete. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. 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. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. We present them here for purely educational purposes. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career So Bassin gave him that chance. Enter your email address to get a new one. After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. 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. 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. Youre a great player. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Im sure it affected me. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. TM: It just made me want to be better. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? 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. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. 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. 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. 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. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Your existing password has not been changed. Hockey was like that for me -- I was constantly focused on numbers. All Rights Reserved. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. That's how good he was.". He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Lightning. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. 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. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. 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. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. TM: I liked all sports. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. How does that make you feel? Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 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. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. In retrospect, I can now see how it was an important milestone for people who look like me: No Black player had ever scored 40 goals in a season not until that game against Winnipeg, where a little chip-in ended up making history. - Improve your search rank All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". by Take control of your EliteProspects profile! Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! '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. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. 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. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. Season Players Videos. All Rights Reserved. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. So, I reached out. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. I was at a Queens University hockey game. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. 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. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. All Rights Reserved. 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.
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