McKegney, a Montreal native who was raised in Sarnia by his adoptive family, was drafted by the Sabres with the 32nd overall pick in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. Tony McKegney. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). McKegney, while striving to help provide black youths more opportunity, will never forget the chance given him by Lowry McKegney, 70. More Tony McKegney videos. 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. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. 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. 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. 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. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Hes been an All-Star. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. 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 *} 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. He was coaching the Pickering Panthers, a Junior B team, when he suspended four players for breaking a rule and got four replacements from a lower-level team. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. I was at a Queens University hockey game. 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. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Or write about sports? Former NHL star sent to jail | The Kingston Whig Standard Tony McKegney Makes His Mark in the NHL | AP News Saunders was sent back to the minors, without any explanation. 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. McKegney was the first Black Canadian hockey player to make an impact in the NHL. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. Enter Search Term. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. 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. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Join our linker program. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com 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. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. I take my hat off to Grant. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. Tony McKegney | Ice Hockey Wiki | Fandom Not a lot from opposing, players, but more so from fans, that they just couldnt handle the fact that the pure white sport, was being dominated by a black kid and that was me. I was too timid to talk to a girl. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. 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). 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. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. An oddity on the ice - CBC He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney - Die By The Blade So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. It was never published. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. You reached out to him afterwards. TM: Everything. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. 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. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. 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. Buy his book. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. 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. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. 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. The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. They had talks about what to do when the racist taunts would inevitably begin don't react, don't let them get to you but sure enough, when his son was a teenager, in the late '90s, an opponent called him the N-word on the ice. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. He is 64 years old. He has a copy of a newspaper article following a game in Rochester, N.Y., that mentions a fan who heard people yelling the N-word at him all night. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. tony mckegney family 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. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? (OHL). Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. All rights reserved. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. 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. As of this date, Sue is single. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. All Rights Reserved. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. 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. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. 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. He has three 30-goal seasons. Tony S McKegney, 64 - East Amherst, NY - Has Court or Arrest Records "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. I said, "I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) "I was incredulous. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. Tony McKegney - Net Worth February 2023, Salary, Age, Siblings, Bio It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. One was Saunders. Complete player biography and stats. 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 things he went through were things I experienced in my time. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. 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. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. All Rights Reserved. McKegney, Tony 1958- | Encyclopedia.com With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. 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. SN: If you had a chance to talk to the young African-Canadian and African-American kids coming into the game, what would you tell them that you wish youd known? McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. They were there for me for the most part. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. We use cookies to improve your experience. But he was reassigned to the minors. All Rights Reserved. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. 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. Want to more about Him? When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. TM: It just made me want to be better. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? Tony McKegney Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. Tony McKegney. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. 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. We didn't recognize that password reset code. My mother and father -- who adopted me from an orphanage in Montreal, and who happen to be white -- built a hockey rink in our backyard every winter, where I'd skate with my siblings. All rights reserved. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. 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. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. But while Saunders was playing the role of helping others, he believes the Habs didn't really have any incentive to help him, since the team had its own players to develop. I probably should have, and I never did that. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. 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. 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. It's the number of Black players who have ever scored 40 goals in an NHL season. TM: I liked all sports. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. They were around five and six years old. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. 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. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. McKegney, a Montreal native who was raised in Sarnia by his adoptive family, was drafted by the Sabres with the 32nd overall pick in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said.
Nyse Specialist Firms List,
How To Make A Medieval Castle Out Of Cardboard,
Aochi Walking Ghost Famous Picture,
Merion Cricket Club Membership Fees,
Articles T