tony mckegney family

Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. 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. . 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. Gambling problem? Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. 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. We only use official stats. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. 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. Join our linker program. They were there for me for the most part. Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. He paved the way for me. Q&A: Tony McKegney on the NHL's overlooked generation of black players 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. Find out more. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. "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. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. That is a great start and I am looking forward to rooting for the Black players drafted in the past few years who are going to carry on this legacy. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Fast forward to 1987-88, and my performance in the NHL was helping to prove the stereotypes wrong. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. I take my hat off to Grant. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. INDIANAPOLIS Along with the change in defensive coordinator with Leslie Frazier deciding to "take a step back," Bills General Manager Brando, The Buffalo Sabres' mostly injury-free season at forward took a decidedly darker turn Saturday night when the club placed top-line right winge, Frazier, who turns 64 in April, plans to return to coaching in 2024, the Bills said. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). "I think for us growing and trying to make it into the NHL, guys like [Bernie], who help you and calm you at the right time, it was huge.". I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Tony McKegney Tells His Story of How He Came to Buffalo | Sabres Its basically black children. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. 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. All rights reserved. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) While in Minnesota, Tony played for the organization for 3 years until November 13, 1986 when he was traded to the New York Rangers along with Curt Giles and Minnesota's second-round pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Bob Brooke and Minnesota's fourth-round choice in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. 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. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. 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. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Tony McKegney | NHL Wiki | Fandom Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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). Tony McKegney Stats and News | NHL.com Tony McKegney Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. He is 64 years old. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? An oddity on the ice - CBC Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. Enter Search Term. Tony McKegney. "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. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. Why did you feel like that was necessary? Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 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. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. He says he doesn't watch much anymore. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Former Buffalo Sabre Tony McKegney charged with violating order of Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. They were around five and six years old. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. He is not dating anyone. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. The judge ordered McKegney, while on probation, to complete all assessments, counselling and treatments directed by his probation supervisor to deal with issues arising from domestic. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. His supporters created a fan club. BIOGRAPHY. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. But the homeowner's and the coach's comments were unwelcomed reminders that people were constantly viewing me through the lens of my race -- even when I just wanted to be a home renter, or a hockey player. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. 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. 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. '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. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. 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. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. 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. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. 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. I probably should have, and I never did that. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. 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. 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). 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. 2023 Getty Images. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. by 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. 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. 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. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Tony McKegney - Elite Prospects McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. It can be difficult to talk about how those views affect you as a person. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. 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. TM: We never really talked about it much. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. So Bassin gave him that chance. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. All rights reserved. Bailey, who is biracial, currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks and is in his second season with the organization. I was at a Queens University hockey game. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. 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. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. 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. As of this date, Sue is single. One was Saunders. 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. TM: It just made me want to be better. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. That's how good he was.". It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. 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. Enter your email address to get a new one. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. 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. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. TM: I liked all sports. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. Lightning. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Please contact us. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. Sabres Host Lightning in Saturday Matinee. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. - Improve your search rank Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. 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. Tony McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. 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. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. 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. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. You have permission to edit this article. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. 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. Im sure it affected me. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Hockey was like that for me -- I was constantly focused on numbers. All Rights Reserved. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. But it wasn't to be. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. 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. 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. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Lightning. He signed with the Birmingham Bulls of the World Hockey Association, but that news generated a great deal of hate mail, etc., in the South. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. 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 *} 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. 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. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. Complete player biography and stats. That's the biggest compliment for me.". Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. He says he has moved on. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). I dont have any theory why Tony has played with so many teams. Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. 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. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. 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. 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. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. 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. "People just forget me because I didn't play.