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. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. 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TM: Its wonderful. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. "People just forget me because I didn't play. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. But the homeowner's and the coach's comments were unwelcomed reminders that people were constantly viewing me through the lens of my race -- even when I just wanted to be a home renter, or a hockey player. 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. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent 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. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. 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. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. 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. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career Why did you feel like that was necessary? McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. Judge to former NHLer Tony McKegney: 'You were a danger to yourself' One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. I was too timid to talk to a girl. Its basically black children. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Season Players Videos. Do you have a blog? Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records Former NHL star McKegney conflicted by USA Hockey hiring of But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. They were around five and six years old. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. When the last road trip started, I thought about how meaningful it would be to end the season with a goal total that was a round number. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) 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. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. I was at a Queens University hockey game. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. 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. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. He says he has moved on. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images All rights reserved. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. 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. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com by by Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. 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. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. 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. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Tony McKegney Makes His Mark in the NHL | AP News He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Enter your email address to get a new one. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! 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 erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. Complete player biography and stats. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. An oddity on the ice - CBC The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. (approx 1 - 2 per week). A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. "It was just time. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Buy his book. 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. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. TM: We never really talked about it much. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. 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. 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. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. It is the 10th NHL season for McKegney, who will be 30 on Feb. 15, and one that he would like to make his best. I probably should have, and I never did that. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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 seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. Odds & lines subject to change. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? 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. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. That's how good he was.". Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? tony mckegney family https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 ICC ICC https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images . 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. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. You have permission to edit this article. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects Wikifamouspeople has ranked Tony McKegney as of the . 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 is 64 years old. Tony McKegney - Wikipedia '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. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. Boards and the whole thing. Reality doesn't always add up. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. 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 heard the N-word on the ice and from fans in the stands, and opponents always made sure to finish their checks on him. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. Jarome Iginla. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). 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 got a lot of feedback from people in Canada that they were accepted in the schoolyard or outdoor rink because they could point to me as being a person of color playing in the National Hockey League. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. 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. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. Tony McKegney - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. 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. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. Tony McKegney spoke about his experience being one of the few black players in the NHL and how the league has progressed since his playing days. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. Join our linker program. Tony McKegney. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. They're too neat; too objective. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. His supporters created a fan club. All Rights Reserved. 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. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. I just felt defeated," he said. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. 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. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. . All Rights Reserved. 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. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. 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. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Former Buffalo Sabre Tony McKegney charged with violating order of And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? In this article, we covered Tony McKegney's net worth, wiki, bio, career, height, weight, pics, family, affairs, car, salary, age, facts, and other details in 2022. To me, there is no better example of such a player than Tony McKegney, who played 13 seasons in the NHL and was the first star of colour. All Rights Reserved. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. 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. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. We celebrate Willie ORee, the first black player in the NHL, and maybe mention Mike Marson, who was the second, then the conversation shifts all the way to the unprecedented diversity we see in the game today. I know there werent very many [black players]. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. 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. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. "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. Tony McKegney - QuantHockey Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. As of this date, Sue is single. 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. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. "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. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 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. 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. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . 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. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Want to more about Him? Or write about sports? But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. 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. So, I reached out. The key is for him to keep working.. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. But he was reassigned to the minors. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Brother: Ian McKegney of 1 That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. 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. We only use official stats. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. Your existing password has not been changed. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. He played in St. Louis for two years. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. 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. 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 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.