tony mckegney family tony mckegney family

All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel Data Provided By Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. By midseason, people started to notice. The things he went through were things I experienced in my time. All Rights Reserved. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County District Attorney's Office announced on Monday that former Buffalo Sabres winger Tony McKegney was arraigned before a Buffalo City Court Judge back on. Next, select your favourite teams and leagues and well show you their latest news and scores in the My Favourites section of the home page. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. One referee, trying to break up the scuffle, grabbed Jonathan from behind. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. 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. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". "I was incredulous. Boards and the whole thing. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Tony McKegneny (c.) with his sons, Dan (l.), and Robert. 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. 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. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. He went to New Brunswick, feeling discouraged but not ready to give up. For more, check out this Q&A with McKegney & Sportsnet: While its we celebrate the historic achievements of Black players throughout Sabres history, its equally important to celebrate the Black players in the NHL today, including several with current or former ties to the Buffalo Sabres organization. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. Most historical data provided by Dan Diamond and Associates. 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. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. Position: LW Shoots: Left. Keep reading with unlimited digital access. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. During my career, I know I tried my hardest not to think about them at all. Saunders doesn't want to come off as someone lamenting what could have been. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. BIOGRAPHY. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. I probably should have, and I never did that. So I found myself focused on a number, 40, throughout the last stretch of games. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. We didn't recognize that password reset code. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. All Rights Reserved. He scored a goal in that game and got a standing ovation from the crowd. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. "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.". 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. I didnt talk to many people about it. 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. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". Im sure it affected me. 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. 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. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL But by capitalizing on circumstances known by few, he has become an example for blacks who would aspire to playing in the National Hockey League. Search instead in Creative? Odds & lines subject to change. 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. There was nothing special about the goal. Or write about sports? Instead, he was drafted 32nd-overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978 and went on to score over 320 goals. 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. I guess, if you could say, the guy thats done the best is probably Grant Fuhr, McKegney said of the Edmonton goalie. 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. "We just felt like other Canadian boys and wanted to play hockey.". That's where he met Guy Carbonneau, who was in his first full professional season. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. Gambling problem? He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. He jumped to the AHL's Hershey. McKegney had been expected to sign with Birmingham of the World Hockey Association, but the deal fell through and he was taken by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (No. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. TM: I just would tell them to persevere. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. As of this date, Sue is single. He believes his call up was a reward for his performance in the minors. He was the fifth black man to play in the league. Buy his book. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. If you said Tony McKegney, you are correct. "One of the nicest things I hear from young people is they felt because I was there playing they felt they could be accepted in hockey," McKegney told The Buffalo News in 2017. 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. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. (approx 1 - 2 per week). All rights reserved. Brother: Ian McKegney SN: Trevor was able to persevere. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Find out more. Comments are welcome while open. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. 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. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. But on the. 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. It barely made it over the line. Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. It was never published. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? 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. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. 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. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. I was at a Queens University hockey game. 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. It's like a catch-22.". Tony McKegney's birthday is on 15-Feb-1958 and was born on Saturday. McKegney was born in Montreal and adopted by a white family in Sarnia. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The Buffalo native was drafted by the Sabres 52nd overall in 2013 and began his pro career with the Sabres and Amerks. 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? Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). 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. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. 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. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Most recently in the IHL with San Diego Gulls. It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. '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. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. Do you have a blog? Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. 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. It was like, all the emotions from my career, my life: it was too much for me," the elder Saunders said. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. Clearly, Jarome recognized that the 'typical' hockey player could be anyone who loves the game and plays it well. Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 - YouTube 0:00 / 0:44 Tony McKegney Goal vs. Toronto 12/13/80 Disengage 1.53K subscribers Subscribe 947 views 8 years ago Tony McKegney ties the game. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. I was too timid to talk to a girl. Height, Weight & Physical Stats: Tony McKegney is 6 feet 1 inches tall and weight 90.7 kilograms. TM: I liked all sports. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Lightning. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Sorry we could not verify that email address. Pioneers like Willie O'Ree, Angela James and Grant Fuhr will be featured. I remember starting the season with 10 goals in the first 15 games and getting a lot of ice time. 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. I wanted to be as good as my brothers. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. of 1 Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. 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. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? Saunders spent most of his career thinking he was the only black player out there. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. 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. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. In fact, I didn't play against another Black hockey player for nearly 18 years -- when Ray Neufeld, Grant Fuhr, and I were all active in the League. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. 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. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. 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. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. - Ability to add additional data to your career profile: Videos, Images, Social Media, Referrals, Fitness Testing Results and much more! Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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. TM: Everything. 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 player profile, stats and championships. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. by He talked about him, his brother Ian, and his mother who lives in Kincardine. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. I'd been chasing that red light since I started playing hockey at 3 years old. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Reality doesn't always add up. 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. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. "People just forget me because I didn't play. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional)