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. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. All Rights Reserved. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Season Players Videos. 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. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. ST. LOUIS (AP) _ If not for an early twist of fate, Tony McKegney would probably not be plying his talents in a sport that is essentially all white. Gambling problem? Saunders decided that was it. When Saunderswas still a teenager, the family moved back to Quebec, to Chteauguay a town on Montreal's South Shore with a strong hockey tradition. Some may find that number low. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. Brother: Ian McKegney Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. He is not dating anyone. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? By midseason, people started to notice. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. . Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Transaction information may be incomplete. 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. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. 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. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. I was too timid to talk to a girl. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. 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. 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. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. "I was incredulous. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. 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. One of his greatest disappointments is not being included in conversations about the first black NHL hockey players, but he insists he feels no animosity. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. So, I reached out. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. Tony McKegney was born in Montreal, Canada. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. 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. "It was just time. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Do you have a blog? It barely made it over the line. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. Find out more. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. 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) McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. 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. You have permission to edit this article. All rights reserved. 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. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. BIOGRAPHY. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) 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. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. "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. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. I probably should have, and I never did that. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. {{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. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Go beyond the basics. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Hes been an All-Star. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. I just felt defeated," he said. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. 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. 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 remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. 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. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. 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. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. Search instead in Creative? He has three 30-goal seasons. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. The subtext of the situation was clear: Because I'm a Black man, there were certain things the homeowner felt like I couldn't or shouldn't do. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. 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. He is 64 years old. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. We only use official stats. 'We've taken one step forward and two back': Willie O'Ree on fighting racism in sports, This rural Ontario black hockey line broke barriers producing generations of star players, Being Black in Canada: Highlighting the Black experience, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. "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. Tony McKegney. "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Do you have a sports website? He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . He says he doesn't watch much anymore. All Rights Reserved. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Jonathan freaked out. Collect, curate and comment on your files. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. He played in St. Louis for two years. 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. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". 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