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. 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. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. I remember the dedication that my parents put into it when we were younger, driving us to rinks at 7 in the morning, he said. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. 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. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. 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. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. tony mckegney family Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. I just felt defeated," he said. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. Hes won Stanley Cups.. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Tony McKegney Tells His Story of How He Came to Buffalo | Sabres I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. 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. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. Data Provided By I take my hat off to Grant. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. 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. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. Search instead in Creative? Tony McKegney Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Age, Family, Facts and More Former Sabres player charged for violating order of protection He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. "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.". All Rights Reserved. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. But on the. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. By midseason, people started to notice. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. 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. 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. Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. 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. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. TM: Everything. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. 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. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. But it wasn't to be. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. 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. 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. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. 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 Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. 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. 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. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. 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. 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. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. Tony McKegney - QuantHockey All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Sue G McKegney, 63 - Buffalo, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records - MyLife 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). And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. McKegney recalls no special obstacles for him or his two adoptive brothers, who are also black, as they were growing up with a racially mixed family in a city of 50,000. Complete player biography and stats. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. I ignored that coach, of course. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. 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) 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. Collect, curate and comment on your files. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Season Players Videos. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. You get to keep that mask on and Im out there for everybody to see. So, I told Grant, jokingly, that I was envious of him. 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. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. They're too neat; too objective. Tony Mckegney - ABC7 Chicago McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. Enter Search Term. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! 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. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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? Jarome told me that he felt comfortable at the school yard because he could point to me and say, "Look, Tony McKegney's playing in the NHL.". Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. At the age of 20, Tony signed a contract with the now defunct World Hockey Associations (WHA) team in Birmingham, Alabama only to see the owner illegally renege on the deal after fans threatened to boycott the team for having added a black player to its roster. 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. My mother and father -- who adopted me from an orphanage in Montreal, and who happen to be white -- built a hockey rink in our backyard every winter, where I'd skate with my siblings. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. 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. But he was reassigned to the minors. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. All rights reserved. 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. I probably should have, and I never did that. 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. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) 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. 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. Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. 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. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. 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. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. 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. 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. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Hes had the most success. Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. They were around five and six years old. 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. 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He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. I was at a Queens University hockey game. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. 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. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. by of 1 When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. 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. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. 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. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. McKegney, Tony 1958- | Encyclopedia.com Tony McKegney | NHL Wiki | Fandom 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. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? He has three 30-goal seasons. 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. 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? I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. Or write about sports? They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Tony McKegney He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced?