tony mckegney family tony mckegney family

I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. 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. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. 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. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? Jarome Iginla. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. All Rights Reserved. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. Want to more about Him? It's not the 40 goals I scored. Of course, I also thought about the bonus clause in my contract, which promised $15,000 if I happened to score 40 goals (that was a lot of money in those days). 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. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. "It was just time. In fact, I think their parents were thinking about saying, Look, why dont you just go play soccer, because it was so bad as far as the remarks. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. "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. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? 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. 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. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Youre a great player. 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. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. Sorry we could not verify that email address. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. 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. 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. He says he has moved on. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. One was Saunders. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. 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 wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? 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. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career '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. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Jonathan freaked out. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be 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. "People just forget me because I didn't play. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. He is 64 years old. 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. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. He played in St. Louis for two years. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. BIOGRAPHY. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. 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. 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. 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. Fast forward to 1987-88, and my performance in the NHL was helping to prove the stereotypes wrong. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. 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. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. 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. Gambling problem? With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 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. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. 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. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? 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 played in Detroit for only 14 games before being traded back to the Quebec Nordiques on December 4, 1989 in exchange for Robert Picard and Greg Adams. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. All Rights Reserved. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. 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. by But it wasn't to be. 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. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. I just tried to shut everything else out. 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. They're too neat; too objective. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. But on the. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. 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. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. 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. . He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? (OHL). Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Position: LW Shoots: Left. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) 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? There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. 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. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. 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. I just felt defeated," he said. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Halls contract with the Bills had expired, although left unanswered is whether the team made an effort to retain him or Hall simply was rea. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? 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. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. 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. 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. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. He paved the way for me. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! They were there for me for the most part. Why did you feel like that was necessary? Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. We didn't recognize that password reset code. 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. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. He has three 30-goal seasons. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. All rights reserved. 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. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. Data Provided By Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. So Bassin gave him that chance. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! TM: No, not really. Buy his book. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. While in Fredericton, he says the coach told him he may play a couple dozen games at the NHL level, but his main role would be to tutor the other players. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. He says he doesn't watch much anymore. 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. A couple of weeks ago, Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada gave the McKegney family a shout out during the Saturday night broadcast, recognizing McKegney as part of Black History month. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. 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. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. 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. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. I take my hat off to Grant. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. 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 *} Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) McKegney had been expected to sign with Birmingham of the World Hockey Association, but the deal fell through and he was taken by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. (approx 1 - 2 per week). We were all set to move, until the homeowner told us there was a problem: They didn't want to rent to us once they found out we were a biracial couple. ago] Height 6.01 -- Weight 200 [185 cm/91 kg] Drafted by Buffalo Sabres - round 2 #32 overall 1978 NHL Amateur Draft Regular Season Playoffs; He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. 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. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. All rights reserved. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Join our linker program. Do you have a blog? Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. We only use official stats. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. I ignored that coach, of course. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. 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. I was scared to say a peep in class. 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. Your existing password has not been changed. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. Go beyond the basics. Saunders was part of a wave of black players who debuted after Willie O'Ree became the first black player in the National Hockey League in 1958. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him.