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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. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. TM: Everything. 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. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. 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. 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. The focus was just on playing hockey. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. Want to more about Him? It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. 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. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. 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. Odds & lines subject to change. Youre a great player. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. 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. 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 Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". TM: It just made me want to be better. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. It's like a catch-22.". 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. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I ignored that coach, of course. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. It's not the 40 goals I scored. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. We present them here for purely educational purposes. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. 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. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. Search instead in Creative? Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. 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). 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. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. (OHL). Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? But while Saunders was playing the role of helping others, he believes the Habs didn't really have any incentive to help him, since the team had its own players to develop. Some may find that number low. Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. 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 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. And I just thought to myself, What are they doing out there? And I couldnt wait to go out there and join them at a year-and-a-half. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 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. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. 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. 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. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. by There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Tony McKegney. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. Lightning. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. You reached out to him afterwards. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. "It was just time. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. I was scared to say a peep in class. 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. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Enter your email address to get a new one. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. 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. It barely made it over the line. 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. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. 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. Saunders says Demers is one of the people who taught him the work ethic and discipline that carried him until he lost his enthusiasm for the game. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. 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. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. 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. 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. '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. We use cookies to improve your experience. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He says he has moved on. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. 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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Hes won Stanley Cups.. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. TM: No, not really. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. I just tried to shut everything else out. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. The sport that Saunders loved so much, the sport he says shaped him into the person he has become, has also broken his heart many times. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. "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. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. 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. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. 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. of 1 More Tony McKegney videos. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. 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. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. 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. So, I reached out. 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. 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. Please contact us. 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 was born in Montreal, Canada. 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. (approx 1 - 2 per week). 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. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. All rights reserved. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. Your existing password has not been changed. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. He got out of his contract, went back to Michigan and started playing for the Kalamazoo Wings, an International Hockey League team, while establishing himself at Upjohn, a pharmaceutical company. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. SN: If you had a chance to talk to the young African-Canadian and African-American kids coming into the game, what would you tell them that you wish youd known? You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. 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. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. McKegney was 20, playing junior hockey for Kingston in the Ontario Hockey Association, when the Buffalo Sabres made him their second-round choice in the 1978 draft. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. 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. They were around five and six years old. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. Hockey was like that for me -- I was constantly focused on numbers. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Carbonneau, a Hall of Famer who played and coached for the Canadiens and now works as an analyst, remembers Saunders as an honest player and hard worker someone who could do pretty much anything on the ice and served as a veteran presence on the team. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. 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. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. It made me angry, made me sad. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. Complete player biography and stats. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Jonathan freaked out. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. I know there werent very many [black players]. Or write about sports? Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). Tony McKegney 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.