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. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. An oddity on the ice - CBC Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. 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. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. 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. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. He says he doesn't watch much anymore. 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. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. 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. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. 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. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . Tony McKegney Stats and News | NHL.com It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. Your existing password has not been changed. All rights reserved. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. McKegney was the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). Enter your email address to get a new one. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Join our linker program. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . of 1 We present them here for purely educational purposes. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. 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. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. It's like a catch-22.". Boards and the whole thing. Sue G McKegney, 63 - Buffalo, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records - MyLife At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. 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. How does that make you feel? 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. 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. TM: I liked all sports. 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. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Wiki-Bio, Family We only use official stats. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. 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. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. Go beyond the basics. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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 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. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. TM: Its wonderful. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. 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. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. 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. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. Please contact us. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. TM: No, not really. Season Players Videos. 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? Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. 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. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. He is 64 years old. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Tony McKegney. Im sure it affected me. 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. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. 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. A couple of weeks ago, Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada gave the McKegney family a shout out during the Saturday night broadcast, recognizing McKegney as part of Black History month. "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. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). He paved the way for me. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. 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. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. 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 Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Brother: Ian McKegney More Tony McKegney videos. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. Black History Month spotlight: McKegney opens doors, fills nets SN: Trevor was able to persevere. 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. 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. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. They're too neat; too objective. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. 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. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. Former NHL star McKegney conflicted by USA Hockey hiring of by Or write about sports? "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. 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.