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. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. 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. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. 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. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Audience Relations, CBC P.O. Saunders says it's tremendous. 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. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. Before Jarome was an NHL superstar and represented Canada in three Olympics, he was just like every other Canadian kid playing ball hockey in the school yard -- except he stood out for looking different than the 'typical' hockey player. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". 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. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). TM: Everything. It appears the Sabres have made a few late deals. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. Its a very expensive sport, and its more of a suburbia sport, McKegney said. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. "People just forget me because I didn't play. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. 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. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. BIOGRAPHY. Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". Hes had the most success. 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. I was scared to say a peep in class. 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. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. The sport that Saunders loved so much, the sport he says shaped him into the person he has become, has also broken his heart many times. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. Its basically black children. Things just felt right that year. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. He is not dating anyone. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I take my hat off to Grant. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. 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. He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. The key is for him to keep working.. 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). 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. Season Players Videos. It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. 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. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. Frequently Asked Questions about the NHL and Hockey, Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREE. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. 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. Boards and the whole thing. But he was reassigned to the minors. I didnt talk to many people about it. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. 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. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. I was at a Queens University hockey game. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. Transaction information may be incomplete. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. I wanted to be the best hockey player from my hometown. 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. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. "I was incredulous. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. 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. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. Tony McKegney (born Anthony Syiid McKegney on February 15, 1958) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played in the NHL for 13 seasons from 197879 until 199091. We present them here for purely educational purposes. We only use official stats. Position: LW Shoots: Left. Want to more about Him? Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Judge to former NHLer Tony McKegney: 'You were a danger to yourself' Enter your email address to get a new one. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. (approx 1 - 2 per week). 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. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. "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. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Tony McKegney Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. Tony McKegney Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. When I started in the league, I never would have guessed. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. 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. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. 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). . By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. How Tony McKegney Survived And Thrived For 13 Seasons In The NHL They were around five and six years old. Tony McKegney. 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. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. These brave athletes are actively changing hockey culture for the better. Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. One was Saunders. My older brother, Mike, was drafted in the NHL, first black player ever drafted by the Montreal Canadians. Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. It was never published. I went to [Daley] and said, Hey, how are you doing and how are you feeling? I just wanted to reach out and say, Been there, just keep at it. He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values.