My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. 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. 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) Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. 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. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. Jarome told me that he felt comfortable at the school yard because he could point to me and say, "Look, Tony McKegney's playing in the NHL.". I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. Tony McKegney. The focus was just on playing hockey. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. 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. 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. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. 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. 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. Go beyond the basics. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. "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. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. Brother: Ian McKegney Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. 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. You have permission to edit this article. There were five centermen on that team who were great passers, and when you're playing with so many good centermen, you're going to get chances every game. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. 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. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. Reality doesn't always add up. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. Tony McKegney And I just thought to myself, What are they doing out there? And I couldnt wait to go out there and join them at a year-and-a-half. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. 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? Willie [ORee] had a good thing. (approx 1 - 2 per week). My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. 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. He is not dating anyone. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. 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. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. 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. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. 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. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. Continue reading to discover who is Tony McKegney. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! 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. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. 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. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. TM: No, not really. 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. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. He says he has moved on. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. They're too neat; too objective. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. They were around five and six years old. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". I suppressed a lot of things over the years. Search instead in Creative? I was at a Queens University hockey game. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. It's like a catch-22.". I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. But on the. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. 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. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. Fast forward to 1987-88, and my performance in the NHL was helping to prove the stereotypes wrong. More Tony McKegney videos. 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. 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. Tony McKegney is a member of famous Ice Hockey list. 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. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. I wanted to be as good as my brothers. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? That's how good he was.". Jarome Iginla. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? 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. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. All Rights Reserved. But it wasn't to be. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. 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. I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. It takes time to grow a sport, he says, and now young black kids have something he didn't: the opportunity to play the game they love with people who look like them, and to see more than one black person playing it at the highest level. Please contact us. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. That fast-forwarding tends to bypass the magical middle and the stories of many players who felt alone but nonetheless accomplished great things, opening opportunities for those who followed. Enter Search Term. I ignored that coach, of course. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. 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. [RELATED: Black History Month coverage |Hockey Is For Everyone coverage]. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. All rights reserved. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. Hes been an All-Star. After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. 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 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. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. Jonathan freaked out. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. 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. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. All rights reserved. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". TM: I knew John because we were teammates, we were roommates, and it seemed out of character for him. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. 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. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. Want to more about Him? Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) He believes he could have had a 10-year career in the NHL if he had been given a proper shot. 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. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. You get to keep that mask on and Im out there for everybody to see. So, I told Grant, jokingly, that I was envious of him. 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. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. 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. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. There was nothing special about the goal. 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. SN: Trevor was able to persevere. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. He paved the way for me. We present them here for purely educational purposes. From the time he was in the crib, Jonathan was obsessed with the sport, and so he followed in his father's footsteps. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals . John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. 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.
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