Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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 the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. 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. Season Players Videos. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Tony McKegney. 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. 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. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. 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. You reached out to him afterwards. Do you have a sports website? Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. Or write about sports? 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. 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 player to hit the 40-goal milestone. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. 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. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 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. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Jarome Iginla. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. Never fully comfortable: Maple Leafs Kerfoot and the trade he dodged, Canucks commit to re-tooling over re-building with Hronek addition, On a career heater, Nugent-Hopkins four-point night helps Oilers ground Jets. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. 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. 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. 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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. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. He played in St. Louis for two years. "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.". Youre going to do well in the NHL. I just praised him, knowing that he was a great player and he was going to play in the NHL for a long time. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. Tony McKegney was born in Montreal, Canada. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. As of this date, Sue is single. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. 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. 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. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. 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. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. 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) To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. Why did you feel like that was necessary? Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. It made me angry, made me sad. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. 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. All rights reserved. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. So, I reached out. 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). Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. Go beyond the basics. 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; Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. 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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. 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. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. Lightning. "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. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Saunders says it's tremendous. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. 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. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. It saddens me to hear the accounts of the current crop of Black players and other players of color that are still facing the same obstacles and ugly behavior that I encountered when I was their age. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. "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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. It barely made it over the line. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney 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. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. We didn't recognize that password reset code. 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. 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Things just felt right that year. He paved the way for me. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. 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. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. After playing in 64 games for the Rangers, Tony was traded to the St. Louis Blues on May 28, 1987 along with Rob Whistle in exchange for Bruce Bell and future considerations. I was at a Queens University hockey game. 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. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). So Bassin gave him that chance. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. The key is for him to keep working.. I just tried to shut everything else out. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. 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. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. He still remembers, almost 50 years later, the smile on Saunders's face when he was told he wasn't going back to his old team. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life.
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