He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? The focus was just on playing hockey. So, I reached out. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? It's like a catch-22.". Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. 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. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. 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. In fact, I think their parents were thinking about saying, Look, why dont you just go play soccer, because it was so bad as far as the remarks. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". I didnt talk to many people about it. 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. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. Enter your email address to get a new one. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. 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. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. "I was incredulous. 2023 Getty Images. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. I probably should have, and I never did that. Tony McKegney. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. TM: Its wonderful. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Black History Month spotlight: McKegney opens doors, fills nets We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. 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; By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. 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. He has three 30-goal seasons. 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. 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. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. We celebrate Willie ORee, the first black player in the NHL, and maybe mention Mike Marson, who was the second, then the conversation shifts all the way to the unprecedented diversity we see in the game today. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Position: LW Shoots: Left. 'I loved the game, but the game didn't love me': How hockey shaped one of NHL's first black players on and off the ice | CBC News Loaded. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Saunders decided that was it. 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. Comments are welcome while open. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Wikifamouspeople has ranked Tony McKegney as of the . With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Bailey has appeared in three games with the Canucks this season and was placed on injured reserve on February 12 with an upper-body injury. He is not dating anyone. 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. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. '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. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. 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. 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. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. 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. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. 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. 82 Tony Mckegney Premium High Res Photos - Getty Images (approx 1 - 2 per week). Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL Editor's note: As part of the NHL celebrating Black History Month throughout February, NHL.com will present first-person essays by some of the game's key Black players and executives. 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. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. 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. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. 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. I ignored that coach, of course. 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. By midseason, people started to notice. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Things just felt right that year. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. 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. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. Saunders says it's tremendous. 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). "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. 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. 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. Tony McKegney | NHL Wiki | Fandom After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. Do you have a blog? Gambling problem? So Bassin gave him that chance. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Sorry we could not verify that email address. tony mckegney family 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. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. Tony McKegney - Wikipedia As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. I remember starting the season with 10 goals in the first 15 games and getting a lot of ice time. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. They were there for me for the most part. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? It made me angry, made me sad. All Rights Reserved. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. "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. 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. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. 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. 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. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. 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. Go beyond the basics. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. Lightning. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. 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. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Your existing password has not been changed. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel All rights reserved. I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. 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. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. 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. Tony McKegney - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio 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. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. 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. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. 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. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. 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. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Brother: Ian McKegney TM: I just would tell them to persevere. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. Enter Search Term. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. . Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? All rights reserved. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. "People just forget me because I didn't play. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Complete player biography and stats. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Check out the Black Girl Hockey Club, a non-profit organization that focuses on making hockey more inclusive for Black women, their family, friends and allies. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. I was scared to say a peep in class. Some may find that number low. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. 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. 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. 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. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Former Buffalo Sabre Tony McKegney charged with violating order of All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. I just felt defeated," he said. 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. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. 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. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. As of this date, Sue is single. 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. Jonathan freaked out. 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. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. 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. As part of the NHL's celebration of Black History Month, NHL.com will highlight great moments and important figures in black hockey history each day throughout February. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. We use cookies to improve your experience. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Year By Year Fight Totals. "It was just time. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. 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. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. 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. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney Tony McKegney is a member of famous Ice Hockey list. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. TM: We never really talked about it much. (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. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. 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. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com 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. (OHL). By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.