McKegney, Tony 1958- | Encyclopedia.com Lightning. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. Odds & lines subject to change. 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There were five centermen on that team who were great passers, and when you're playing with so many good centermen, you're going to get chances every game. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. We were all set to move, until the homeowner told us there was a problem: They didn't want to rent to us once they found out we were a biracial couple. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. 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. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. His NHL career ended with nine games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1990-91, but he went on to play for the Canadian National Team, overseas in Italy with Varese HC and in the IHL with the San Diego Gulls before hanging up the skates in 1993. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. Youre a great player. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. 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. It barely made it over the line. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. "It was just time. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. (OHL). 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. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career tony mckegney family McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel And the NHL has done a great job with helping. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. 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. Gambling problem? Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? ago] Height 6.01 -- Weight 200 [185 cm/91 kg] Drafted by Buffalo Sabres - round 2 #32 overall 1978 NHL Amateur Draft Regular Season Playoffs; 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. 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. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. Tony McKegney - QuantHockey 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. 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. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Even now, when I tell the story of the 1987-1988 season, I use a lot of numbers to explain why the season turned out so special. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. More Tony McKegney videos. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". 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. Q&A: Tony McKegney on the NHL's overlooked generation of black players Hes won Stanley Cups.. Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects 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. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. 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. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. 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. 2023 Getty Images. Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. 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. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. He has three 30-goal seasons. Comments are welcome while open. 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. 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. Join our linker program. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. Season Players Videos. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. Data Provided By Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. 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. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. 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. I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. Tony Mckegney - ABC7 Chicago He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. 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. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. I was at a Queens University hockey game. That's the biggest compliment for me.". Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. I was too timid to talk to a girl. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? An oddity on the ice - CBC McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. 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. McKegney was the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. How does that make you feel? "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. Tony McKegney Makes His Mark in the NHL | AP News He says he has moved on. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 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. . When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. 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. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I probably should have, and I never did that. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. 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. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. 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. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. There was nothing special about the goal. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. Former NHL star McKegney conflicted by USA Hockey hiring of TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? 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. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. Its basically black children. All Rights Reserved. They're too neat; too objective. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Year By Year Fight Totals. 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 paved the way for me. 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). One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. 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. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. So, there was a lot of black athletes in town in Buffalo. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 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. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. It can be difficult to talk about how those views affect you as a person. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights 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. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. TM: Everything. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Enter Search Term. After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. 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.
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