Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? Tony McKegney Wiki, Biography, Net Worth, Age, Family, Facts and More Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. We use cookies to improve your experience. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. TM: No, not really. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Fast forward to 1987-88, and my performance in the NHL was helping to prove the stereotypes wrong. 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. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). "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.". - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. 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. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. 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. 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. It's like a catch-22.". You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. 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. 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. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. 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. It takes time to grow a sport, he says, and now young black kids have something he didn't: the opportunity to play the game they love with people who look like them, and to see more than one black person playing it at the highest level. 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. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? He is 64 years old. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Former Sabres player charged for violating order of protection Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. 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. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. 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. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. 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Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Please contact us. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. 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. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. Enter your email address to get a new one. 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. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. In Tony's second stint in Quebec, he played in 98 games for the team until January 29, 1991 when he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Jacques Cloutier. 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. 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. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. 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 basketball, football, baseball, golf. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. '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. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. 2023 Getty Images. TM: We never really talked about it much. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. "I was incredulous. 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. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. "People just forget me because I didn't play. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. - Improve your search rank SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? 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. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. 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. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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. All Rights Reserved. Search instead in Creative? Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? 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. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. 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. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. I wanted to be as good as my brothers. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. An oddity on the ice - CBC With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. But on the. 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. He is not dating anyone. He paved the way for me. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. 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. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. "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. Hockey was like that for me -- I was constantly focused on numbers. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. Tony McKegney. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world 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. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. Brother: Ian McKegney SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. 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. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. (OHL). Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. Why did you feel like that was necessary? I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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 believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. He played in St. Louis for two years. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. 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. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Boards and the whole thing. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. All rights reserved. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. 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. They're too neat; too objective. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Reality doesn't always add up. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. 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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. tony mckegney family TM: I just would tell them to persevere. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Complete player biography and stats. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. "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. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. Tony McKegney - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. 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. You reached out to him afterwards. Position: LW Shoots: Left. 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. Tony Mckegney - ABC7 Chicago "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Judge to former NHLer Tony McKegney: 'You were a danger to yourself' Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Tony McKegney spoke about his experience being one of the few black players in the NHL and how the league has progressed since his playing days. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. {{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. 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. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". Willie [ORee] had a good thing. His supporters created a fan club. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Go beyond the basics. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. 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. Tony McKegney Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights Your existing password has not been changed. (approx 1 - 2 per week). Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. 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. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) Sue G McKegney, 63 - Buffalo, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records - MyLife Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. He played in Detroit for only 14 games before being traded back to the Quebec Nordiques on December 4, 1989 in exchange for Robert Picard and Greg Adams. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Buy his book. 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. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. 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. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. 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. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 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. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Tony McKegney | Ice Hockey Wiki | Fandom Comments are welcome while open. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. Tony McKegney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey We didn't recognize that password reset code. I know there werent very many [black players]. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. 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). So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. It was never published. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". That's how good he was.". The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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. INDIANAPOLIS Along with the change in defensive coordinator with Leslie Frazier deciding to "take a step back," Bills General Manager Brando, The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge, Frazier, who turns 64 in April, plans to return to coaching in 2024, the Bills said. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. 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. He was following in the footsteps of his older brother Ian McKegney (who had been a star with the Sarnia Legionnaires before moving on to the pros). He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform.
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