{{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. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. So, I reached out. Tony McKegney (front, second from r.) and his Sarnia Bees teammates of the Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League in 1973. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. 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. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. TM: No, not really. 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. 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. I was too timid to talk to a girl. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? I probably should have, and I never did that. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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. All Rights Reserved. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. 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. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? They're too neat; too objective. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. 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. 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. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. And it wasn't hard to find a different place to live in St. Louis, which is a wonderful city that I've always enjoyed. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. As of this date, Sue is single. 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. The focus was just on playing hockey. All Rights Reserved. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. 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. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. You sort of never felt like you were different. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. I was scared to say a peep in class. The next day, the other team's coach called to apologize for what had happened, which Saunders found promising a sign that things were changing, albeit slowly. 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. 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. But he was reassigned to the minors. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. 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. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. 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 a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. We only use official stats. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. Do you have a blog? I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . 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. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through 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. I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. "People just forget me because I didn't play. 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. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. of 1 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. Lightning. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. I remember starting the season with 10 goals in the first 15 games and getting a lot of ice time. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. 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. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. 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) While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Jets on Sportsnet, Marchment, Pavelski end droughts as Stars dominate Avalanche, Cooper on benching Stamkos, Kucherov, Point: 'Weren't giving us the best chance to win', Bertuzzi sets up goal, Bruins stretch winning-streak in win over Rangers, Lightning fall to Sabres, bench Kucherov, Stamkos, Point for third period, {* backButton *} He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. I take my hat off to Grant. Boards and the whole thing. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. All rights reserved. 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. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Year By Year Fight Totals. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. 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. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. Odds & lines subject to change. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. 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. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. It was never published. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. Your existing password has not been changed. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. 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. by We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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). They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. 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. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? 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. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Youre a great player. BIOGRAPHY. TM: Everything. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. They were there for me for the most part. He played in St. Louis for two years. The key is for him to keep working.. 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. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. 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. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. I just felt defeated," he said. 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. 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. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. It's like a catch-22.". I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Jarome Iginla. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. 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. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Hes had the most success. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? TM: It just made me want to be better. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. 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. 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. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. All rights reserved. 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. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. 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. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. 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. We use cookies to improve your experience. He is 64 years old. Find out more. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. 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. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. He has three 30-goal seasons. By midseason, people started to notice. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. Hes won Stanley Cups.. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. 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. Thats the greatest compliments Ive received from the younger people. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. 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. 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. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. McKegney had been expected to sign with Birmingham of the World Hockey Association, but the deal fell through and he was taken by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. I was at a Queens University hockey game. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all.

Oduu Har'aa Jawar Mohammed, Vondecarlo Brown Daughter, How Old Was Shaq When He Graduated High School, Monroe Ny Police Blotter, Articles T