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). Tony McKegney. Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. I don't talk much about the taunts and racial slurs I faced in youth and minor hockey. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. The funny thing is that Im starting to enjoy the game more than I ever have, he said. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. 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. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. 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. 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. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. 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. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. Q&A: Tony McKegney on the NHL's overlooked generation of black players "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". TM: Its wonderful. "I got a lot of feedback from people in Canada that they were accepted in the schoolyard or outdoor rink because they could point to me as being a person of color playing in the National Hockey League. Jarome Iginla. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. * Some data is missing to provide a correct summary. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 . But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. Odds & lines subject to change. 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. As part of the NHL's celebration of Black History Month, NHL.com will highlight great moments and important figures in black hockey history each day throughout February. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. McKegney was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. Lightning. They were around five and six years old. Want to more about Him? Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. 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. 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. Most of his limited NHL experience came with Buffalo; he also had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Flyers and their AHL affiliate. 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. It is the 10th NHL season for McKegney, who will be 30 on Feb. 15, and one that he would like to make his best. Saunders says it's tremendous. Tony McKegney Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Salary, Title | Hockey Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. His supporters created a fan club. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. 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. Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. 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. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. 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. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. Im sure it affected me. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) 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. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. You have permission to edit this article. 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. 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. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. 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. It seemed very normal to me, and no one in our neighborhood or city really treated us any different, he said. When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. Coming into the next season, he thought he was a shoo-in to make the team. Do you have a blog? Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. 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. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. "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.". Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? He decided to sign as a free agent with the Nordiques because he felt they would give him the best opportunity to play right away plus, he would be reunited with Demers. "It was just time. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. We only use official stats. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. McKegney was supposed to play in the WHA for the Birmingham Bulls, but the team illegally voided his deal after fans in Alabama threatened a boycott. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? One house seemed perfect for me and my wife, Sue. 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. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. Looking back on his incredible career and contribution, McKegney shared with me the pleasure, pain and purpose hockey brought to his life. He paved the way for me. Things just felt right that year. Former Sabres player charged for violating order of protection Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? 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. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Brother: Ian McKegney When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. 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.". So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. "I was incredulous. That's how good he was.". 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? An error has occurred while trying to update your details. An oddity on the ice - CBC SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. But Jarrett believes Saunders deserved to be there. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. I just had this conversation with one of my former teammates, and he said, We just treated you like one of us brothers.. 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. Tony McKegney - Hockey Fights The year after he graduated, he had offers from a few teams. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. - Verification Badge on your profile, Post a scouting report/trivia/player comment in English (visible here). Transaction information may be incomplete.