Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. 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. Former Sabres player charged for violating order of protection He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. 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. Not a lot from opposing, players, but more so from fans, that they just couldnt handle the fact that the pure white sport, was being dominated by a black kid and that was me. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. I probably should have, and I never did that. 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. Tony McKegney - QuantHockey Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. Do you have a blog? Saunders says it's tremendous. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. 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. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. It's like a catch-22.". Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent 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. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. 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. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. That's how good he was.". Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". "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. Why did you feel like that was necessary? During his first stint in Quebec, he played for the team until December 14, 1984 when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars along with Bo Berglund in exchange for Brad Maxwell and Brent Ashton. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. An oddity on the ice - CBC If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. 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. 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. 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 sort of never felt like you were different. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". Hes had the most success. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. Or write about sports? While in Minnesota, Tony played for the organization for 3 years until November 13, 1986 when he was traded to the New York Rangers along with Curt Giles and Minnesota's second-round pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Bob Brooke and Minnesota's fourth-round choice in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Enter your email address to get a new one. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. It's not the 40 goals I scored. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. 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. All rights reserved. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. TM: No, not really. TM: Everything. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. 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. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. In retrospect, I can now see how it was an important milestone for people who look like me: No Black player had ever scored 40 goals in a season not until that game against Winnipeg, where a little chip-in ended up making history. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". He is 64 years old. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. 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. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. We only use official stats. By midseason, people started to notice. Q&A: Tony McKegney on the NHL's overlooked generation of black players Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel I was at a Queens University hockey game. 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. TM: I liked all sports. TM: I heard some stories about the tough guys like George Laraque, Peter Worrell and Donald Brashear, and apparently it was absolutely brutal for those guys in Quebec. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. He paved the way for me. I take my hat off to Grant. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? BIOGRAPHY. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. Collect, curate and comment on your files. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? 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. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: 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. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. You have permission to edit this article. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. All rights reserved. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. 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. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Judge to former NHLer Tony McKegney: 'You were a danger to yourself' Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. 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. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Comments are welcome while open. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. . - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. You reached out to him afterwards. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . 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. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Tony McKegney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. 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. We present them here for purely educational purposes. He signed with the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association, but that news generated a great deal of hate mail, etc., in the South. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. 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. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. 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By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. Its a very expensive sport, and its more of a suburbia sport, McKegney said. In fact, I didn't play against another Black hockey player for nearly 18 years -- when Ray Neufeld, Grant Fuhr, and I were all active in the League. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. of 1 When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. Tony McKegney is a member of famous Ice Hockey list. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. 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. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. Enter Search Term. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. 2023 Getty Images. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. 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. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. 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. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. 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. Jarome Iginla. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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