I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. "I was incredulous. 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. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. 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 currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, City mourns Buffalo firefighter Jason Arno as investigation into fatal fire launches, Buffalo firefighter makes 'ultimate sacrifice' in blaze that may have sparked backdraft, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst, Vandal damages 'brokenhearted' Russell Salvatore's tribute park in Lancaster, Chad Hall's departure from Buffalo Bills to Jaguars remains a bit of a mystery. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. 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) Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. He said, Just turn on the red light, which means scoring a goal. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel He was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1994. Buy his book. People had a certain amount of respect for us athletically.. I was scared to say a peep in class. Tony McKegney. "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. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. All Rights Reserved. by Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. The coach noticed Saunderscrying in the stands, wanting to be with John, and invited him to play, too. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. And I still struggle with that to this day, with the trauma that I faced and went through. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. - Improve your search rank Do you have a sports website? However, the team now had a new farm team, the Fredericton Express, and the organization wanted Saunders to play there. I was too timid to talk to a girl. But on the ice, Saunders was still alone. 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). A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. One of his teammates even offered to rent his apartment to Saunders, thinking he would need one since he'd be there long term. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. 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. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Things just felt right that year. Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career I ignored that coach, of course. TM: Everything. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. 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. Because you never forget scoring 40 in one year. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about 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. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. 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.". Brother: Ian McKegney 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. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". (OHL). It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". Following his time in Buffalo, he spent two seasons with the Quebec Nordiques, then made stops in Minnesota (North Stars), New York (Rangers), St. Louis and Detroit before finding his way back to Quebec. Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. 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. 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. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. The people in our hometown of Sarnia, Ont., were so supportive through sports. How does that make you feel? To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). Statistics of Tony McKegney, a hockey player from Montreal, PQ born Feb 15 1958 who was active from 1973 to 1993. Please contact us. My mother and father -- who adopted me from an orphanage in Montreal, and who happen to be white -- built a hockey rink in our backyard every winter, where I'd skate with my siblings. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. Some may find that number low. The second person to achieve (and ultimately surpass) this milestone? WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. My dad felt he could do something for the amount of kids that were homeless or without parents per se.. Collect, curate and comment on your files. As of 2018 Tony McKegney is 59 years years old. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. BIOGRAPHY. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. To see your localized preferences, please enable geolocation services in your browser settings. 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: February 15 , 1958 (Age: 64-344d) in Montreal, Quebec ca. Youre a great player. We use cookies to improve your experience. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Search instead in Creative? I just tried to shut everything else out. Today we look at former NHL forward Tony McKegney. Id like to make the best of the last couple of years.. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Who was the first Black player to top 40 goals in an NHL season? They're too neat; too objective. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2023. TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. When I came along, obviously there were comments made, but I was so focused on what was happening on the ice. One was Saunders. 2023 Getty Images. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. 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. SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? We present them here for purely educational purposes. 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. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. This Birthday in Buffalo Sports History: Tony McKegney. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. It was my 10th season in the League, and I'd gotten more comfortable over time. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. So Bassin gave him that chance. "People just forget me because I didn't play. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: I was at a Queens University hockey game. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. On June 15, 1989, Tony was traded to the Detroit Red Wings along with Bernie Federko in exchange for Adam Oates and Paul MacLean. Tony McKegney weighed 200 lbs (90 kg) when playing. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. You sort of never felt like you were different. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. He still remembers, almost 50 years later, the smile on Saunders's face when he was told he wasn't going back to his old team. Saunders was part of a wave of black players who debuted after Willie O'Ree became the first black player in the National Hockey League in 1958. By midseason, people started to notice. - Premium Design on your profile page (optional) There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. Born 1958-02-15 in Montral, Quebec. Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. I pride myself in being maybe the first black player to play consistently in the league, McKegney said. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? Data Provided By I know there werent very many [black players]. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. It's like a catch-22.". I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. An error has occurred while trying to update your details. "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 just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. It barely made it over the line. 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. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. With a Premium subscription, you'll get access to over 30 tools, features and benefits. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. Tony McKegney was born on February 15, 1958. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. He is 64 years old. So that support carried over all the negative stuff that happened. 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. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. "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.". Your existing password has not been changed. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). 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. Jets on Sportsnet, Marchment, Pavelski end droughts as Stars dominate Avalanche, Cooper on benching Stamkos, Kucherov, Point: 'Weren't giving us the best chance to win', Bertuzzi sets up goal, Bruins stretch winning-streak in win over Rangers, Lightning fall to Sabres, bench Kucherov, Stamkos, Point for third period, {* backButton *} It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970.
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