Gambling problem? Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). So, for me, there were just so many good influences. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. He says he has moved on. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. 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. Tony McKegney - Wikipedia The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. 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. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. 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. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney 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. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. He played in St. Louis for two years. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. 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). After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. We didn't recognize that password reset code. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Data Provided By I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Sue G McKegney, 63 - Buffalo, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records - MyLife Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. 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. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. 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. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. 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. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. Enter Search Term. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. TM: No, not really. 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. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. 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. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. 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. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Year By Year Fight Totals. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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. The Nordiques didn't have a farm team that year, so he was sent to play for the Nova Scotia Voyageurs, one of the Montreal Canadiens' farm teams. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family There have been 93 black players in the NHL. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. 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? After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. Former NHL star McKegney conflicted by USA Hockey hiring of Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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) After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. 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. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. All Rights Reserved. Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney - Die By The Blade . NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. 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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. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Position: LW Shoots: Left. 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. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. All Rights Reserved. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. 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. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Tony McKegney Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com Comments are welcome while open. 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. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. TM: It just made me want to be better. All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. McKegney would remain with the Sabres through the 1982-83 season before enjoying a lengthy NHL career that took him across the United States and into Canada. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. Odds & lines subject to change. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. TM: We never really talked about it much. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Tony McKegney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube 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. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. It was never published. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. 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. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. Tony McKegney was born in Montreal, Canada. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and 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. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. They're too neat; too objective. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. 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. It's like a catch-22.". And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. 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 think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. Tony McKegney Stats and News | NHL.com Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. Lightning. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals, 77 assists) in 66 games with Kingston of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League in 1976-77 and 92 points (43 goals, 49 assists) in 55 games the following season, when he also played for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. "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.". Hes had the most success. Tony McKegney Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Age, Family, Facts and More Jarome Iginla. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Anytime I faced adversity, I said, Okay, Im going to put a couple of pucks in the net today for sure. And I was just going to show everybody that I was as good or better than them. So, I reached out. 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. Brother: Ian McKegney If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. 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. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. 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. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Do you have a sports website? He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. 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. TM: I heard some stories about the tough guys like George Laraque, Peter Worrell and Donald Brashear, and apparently it was absolutely brutal for those guys in Quebec. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. He has three 30-goal seasons. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Find out more. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. Do you have a blog? 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. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. TM: I liked all sports. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. In February 1988, I was interviewed for an article called "Tony McKegney Makes His Mark in the NHL," where I talked about how the season was going and importance of role models. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Wiki-Bio, Family Its a very expensive sport, and its more of a suburbia sport, McKegney said. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. But on the. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. (OHL). Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. 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. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? 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. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. 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. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. I probably should have, and I never did that. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". I ignored that coach, of course. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Submit changes (incorrect DOB, missing stats, incorrect stats, social media links etc) using a web form and we will review your update request within 24 hours and update accordingly. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. We use cookies to improve your experience. 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 Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Economics and demographics - there are far fewer blacks in his native Canada than in the United States - still keep blacks from following him to the pro ranks. 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. There were five centermen on that team who were great passers, and when you're playing with so many good centermen, you're going to get chances every game. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. Tony McKegney is 64 years old today because Tony's birthday is on 02/15/1958.Tony McKegney currently lives in East Amherst, NY; in the past Tony has also lived in Saint Louis MO, Detroit MI and Buffalo NY.Tony also answers to Tony S Mckegney, Anthony S Mckegney and Anthony F Mckegney, and perhaps a couple of other names. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Search instead in Creative? TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. 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. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. I just tried to shut everything else out. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". 2023 Getty Images. 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. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL "People just forget me because I didn't play. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. Why did you feel like that was necessary? McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. 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. 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. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. Tony McKegney Tells His Story of How He Came to Buffalo | Sabres Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. 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. 82 Tony Mckegney Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . of 1 Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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.
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