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He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. Season Players Videos. One of his greatest disappointments is not being included in conversations about the first black NHL hockey players, but he insists he feels no animosity. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. 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. Buffalo Bills GM Brandon Beane on salary cap, Gabe Davis expectations, Damar Hamlin update and more, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Owner of Buffalo CPA firm denies claims of financial, workplace wrongdoing, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier to take year off from coaching, Yellow Corp. to close two trucking terminals, Sabres acquire defenseman Riley Stillman from Vancouver for prospect Josh Bloom, 14 police agencies break up fights outside Boulevard Mall, Democrats explore blue-collar struggles as brand is 'damaged', Erie County comptroller calls for state to investigate Forest Lawn, Oklahoma RB Eric Gray at the NFL scouting combine, Ohio State C Luke Wypler speaks at the NFL scouting combine, UB players mom sings stirring rendition of national anthem on senior night, Serena Williams says her daughter doesn't like playing tennis. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. He played in St. Louis for two years. Gambling problem? 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. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. Im sure it affected me. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. 2023 Getty Images. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. 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. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. An oddity on the ice - CBC Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? Brother: Ian McKegney Take control of your EliteProspects profile! But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. Please contact us. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. You sort of never felt like you were different. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? Or write about sports? 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. I was at a Queens University hockey game. 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. Sorry we could not verify that email address. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. When the last road trip started, I thought about how meaningful it would be to end the season with a goal total that was a round number. 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. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). "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. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. I take my hat off to Grant. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. I was the second to be adopted, McKegney, a St. Louis Blues forward, said of the white family in Sarnia, Ontario, he became part of before he was 1 year old. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. 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. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. 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. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". Search instead in Creative? He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. 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. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. 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. Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard 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. 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. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. It barely made it over the line. 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. 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. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. I remember I was tired when a shot from the point came my way. 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. Youre a great player. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. It's not the 40 goals I scored. "I was incredulous. 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. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. Tony McKegney Stats and News | NHL.com When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. 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. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. Hockey-Reference utilizes Official NHL data for current NHL seasons. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. Some may find that number low. (approx 1 - 2 per week). Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? He was the fifth black man to play in the league. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. Tony McKegney - QuantHockey So Bassin gave him that chance. 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. Go beyond the basics. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. 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 jumped to the AHL's Hershey. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects After scoring eight goals in 52 games as a rookie in 1978-79, he scored 23 in his second NHL season 37 in 1980-81. 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. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. We use cookies to improve your experience. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. TM: It just made me want to be better. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Wiki-Bio, Family Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube Lightning. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. 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. The next season, his agent Art Kaminsky told him that must have meant the Nordiques wanted to keep him, so he went into training camp intent on making an impression. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". 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. 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. {{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. McKegney was the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. Find out more. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. As a teenager, he played for Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. While in Fredericton, he says the coach told him he may play a couple dozen games at the NHL level, but his main role would be to tutor the other players. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. 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. Tony McKegney Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Reality doesn't always add up. Join our linker program. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. Its basically black children. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent (OHL). Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts 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. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. 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. Jarome Iginla gave me a very nice compliment when he said he felt he was at home on the ice and in the school yard, because he could say, Hey, Tony McKegney, hes playing in the NHL. He felt like he belonged on a hockey rink because I was out there. 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. 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? There have been 93 black players in the NHL. His supporters created a fan club. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. He is not dating anyone. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. 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. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? 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. 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. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. 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. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. Jonathan freaked out. 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.