Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. Enter Search Term. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. 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 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. So Bassin gave him that chance. But it wasn't to be. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Youre a great player. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. 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. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. TM: Its wonderful. '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. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. 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. 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. I suppressed a lot of things over the years. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. 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. A year later, the left winger was ready to join the pros. Buy his book. So, I reached out. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.". I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. 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. 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. 2023 Getty Images. Box 500 Station A Toronto, ON Canada, M5W 1E6. 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? Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. 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. 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. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. It made me angry, made me sad. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. 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. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: Saunders decided that was it. 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. "I believe if he wasn't a black individual he would have played [more] in the NHL. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. I take my hat off to Grant. SN: What were the conversations like with your parents about it? However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. He is 64 years old. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. SN: Trevor Daley went through a difficult, racially insensitive experience with John Vanbiesbrouck. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. 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. Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. As of this date, Sue is single. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. 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. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. 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. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. I know there werent very many [black players]. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. 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. Enter your email address to get a new one. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. They're too neat; too objective. Things just felt right that year. His supporters created a fan club. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. . Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. - Improve your search rank I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. 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. 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. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. TM: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". 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. Akim Aliu hasnt had the same ability to bounce back from his difficult treatment in the game. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. McKegney needed less than a season to join Buffalo during the 1978-79 campaign. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. Willie [ORee] had a good thing. 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. Tony McKegney 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. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. At age 5, I started playing organized hockey. I was scared to say a peep in class. 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. 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. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Jarome Iginla. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. Join our linker program. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. Right before he went to college, Mike Marson and Bill Riley, the second and third black men in the NHL, made their debuts. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. You reached out to him afterwards. All Rights Reserved. Tony McKegney was born in Montreal, Canada. 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. "It was just time. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. TM: We never really talked about it much. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. Brother: Ian McKegney The focus was just on playing hockey. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. 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. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. 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. SN: Given what you went through in your career, does it make it tougher to hear stories of the abuse faced by players who came after you? SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. You get one kick at the can, as they say, in life. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. All rights reserved. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. '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. "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.". 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. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. (approx 1 - 2 per week). Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. He played in St. Louis for two years. Comments are welcome while open. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Jonathan freaked out. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. Do you have a sports website? Some may find that number low. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . Saunders says it's tremendous. More Tony McKegney videos. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players.
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