But on the. Fast forward to 1987-88, and my performance in the NHL was helping to prove the stereotypes wrong. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. I don't talk much about the taunts and racial slurs I faced in youth and minor hockey. He is 64 years old. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. 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. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. Do you have a sports website? "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. 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 born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. Enter your email address to get a new one. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube 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. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. After completing the 1990-91 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Tony would spend a season in Italy with HC Varese as well as three games with the Canadian National Team. 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. by I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. It made me angry, made me sad. 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. That's how good he was.". Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! 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. I just tried to shut everything else out. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. TM: It just made me want to be better. 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. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. 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. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. 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. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. Buy his book. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. 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. Before Jarome was an NHL superstar and represented Canada in three Olympics, he was just like every other Canadian kid playing ball hockey in the school yard -- except he stood out for looking different than the 'typical' hockey player. I was at a Queens University hockey game. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. Brother: Ian McKegney Tony McKegney Tells His Story of How He Came to Buffalo | Sabres They were there for me for the most part. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. Enter Search Term. 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. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 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. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Odds & lines subject to change. You learn that what matters most is their work ethic, their commitment, their passion, their personality, maybe their sense of humor -- certainly not the way they look. 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? 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. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. 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 also able to open doors and create a level of acceptance for young black players who could point to him and his contemporaries as successes. Tony McKegney Stats and News | NHL.com Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. 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. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. 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. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. 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) People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. Former Sabres player charged for violating order of protection Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Season Players Videos. Want to more about Him? He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane on salary cap, Gabe Davis expectations, Damar Hamlin update and more, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Owner of Buffalo CPA firm denies claims of financial, workplace wrongdoing, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to take year off from coaching, Yellow Corp. to close two trucking terminals, Sabres acquire defenseman Riley Stillman from Vancouver for prospect Josh Bloom, 14 police agencies break up fights outside Boulevard Mall, Democrats explore blue-collar struggles as brand is 'damaged', Erie County comptroller calls for state to investigate Forest Lawn, Oklahoma RB Eric Gray at the NFL scouting combine, Ohio State C Luke Wypler speaks at the NFL scouting combine, UB players mom sings stirring rendition of national anthem on senior night, Serena Williams says her daughter doesn't like playing tennis. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. 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. He says he has moved on. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. 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. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. 2023 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. Editor's note: As part of the NHL celebrating Black History Month throughout February, NHL.com will present first-person essays by some of the game's key Black players and executives. 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. Tony McKegney Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube 0:00 / 0:44 Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 Disengage 1.53K subscribers Subscribe 947 views 8 years ago Tony McKegney ties the game. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. Or write about sports? Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. All Rights Reserved. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. It barely made it over the line. 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. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. So, I reached out. Q&A: Tony McKegney on the NHL's overlooked generation of black players SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? 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. 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. 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. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. All Rights Reserved. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. 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've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. 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. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. He paved the way for me. I was scared to say a peep in class. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. 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. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. {{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. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. Some may find that number low. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. 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. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. 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. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. 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. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings.

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