The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. 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. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. SPORTSNET: What was your first exposure to the game of hockey? Just like society as a whole, the hockey community still has a lot of hard work to do. There was nothing special about the goal. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. "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.". Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. 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? Dont forget to read the Q&A we did with several Black players who spent time with the Buffalo Sabres organization. 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. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. It certainly didn't add up when I was moving to St. Louis before the start of the season. Sabres Send Asplund to Nashville for 7th Rounder, 2023 NHL Trade Deadline: Open Thread & How To Watch. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. The key is for him to keep working.. Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. - Improve your search rank Sorry we could not verify that email address. As of this date, Sue is single. McKegney has remained in the NHL largely because of his skating skills, his durability and the steadiness he mentioned. So, for me, there were just so many good influences. by His supporters created a fan club. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. Buy his book. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). 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.". He continued to score despite playing no more than three seasons with the same team for the rest of his career. Tony McKegney has not been elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame. 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. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. 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. And I said to myself, Geez, this is great. It was awesome to see these guys and theyre all good players. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. He is to appear in court in Belleville, Ontario, on May 18. We present them here for purely educational purposes. Will the Sabres make some moves today to improve their post-season chances? A t-shirt with this logo is available for purchase here, with a portion of proceeds going to Breaking Barriers. He was also able to open doors and create a level of acceptance for young black players who could point to him and his contemporaries as successes. Reality doesn't always add up. TM: I liked all sports. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). There were three future Hall of Famers who made us all better. While in Chteauguay, he played for Jacques Demers, who went on to coach the Nordiques and Montreal Canadiens. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. 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. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. Subscribe to Stathead Hockey: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Hockey Reference Database. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. (Tony) McKegney will need to be working on his paddle stroke or riding as a passenger. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? 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. Hockey players like Akim Aliu, Mark Fraser, and Matt Dumba are just a few of the guys using their voice in meaningful ways. He is 64 years old. 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. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Showing Editorial results for sabres tony mckegney. Go inside the Hockey Reference Database. Tony McKegney was bom in Montreal, Quebec, in February of 1958 to a Nigerian father and Canadian mother. All Rights Reserved. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. 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. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. Jonathan freaked out. 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. Want to more about Him? To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. 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. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 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. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. 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. 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. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. 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. You reached out to him afterwards. Saunders says he is happy and has had a good life, thanks in large part to the sport that broke his heart. Hes been an All-Star. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Jarome Iginla. SN: When you were playing hockey as youngster, there werent many black faces for you to see when you watched NHL games on Saturday nights. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. He is a member of famous with the age 63 years old group. "People just forget me because I didn't play. Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. "It was just time. Buffalo was very interesting because we hung around with the football players. Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. By midseason, people started to notice. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. However, the Bills' statement does not specify that Frazi. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. We only use official stats. 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). So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. Tony McKegney is a well known Ice Hockey. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. 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. {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}, Comment and participate in our online community. "We were so influenced by Hockey Night in Canada," he said, of himself and John. 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. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. I didnt talk to many people about it. All rights reserved. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. I just tried to shut everything else out. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. He played in St. Louis for two years. Some may find that number low. Data Provided By His best season came with the St. Louis Blues in 1987-88, when he had NHL career highs of 40 goals and 78 points. And there was a ton of it, ugly stuff. 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. My mindset was focused on maintaining a consistent level of play to succeed in the National Hockey League. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. 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. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. He has three 30-goal seasons. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. Its a very expensive sport, and its more of a suburbia sport, McKegney said. "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. Its basically black children. Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. Comments are welcome while open. He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). Get the best of our NHL coverage and exclusives delivered directly to your inbox! When you and your teammates compete together, practice together, eat together, and grow up together, you start to see people for who they are. Brent Jarrett played with him in Kalamazoo, Mich.,that season. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Tony McKegney Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. He was assigned to the Syracuse Firebirds, one of the Nordiques' farm teams, where he became a fan favourite. The Montreal-born left wing was a big scorer in junior hockey, finishing with 135 points (58 goals, 77 assists) in 66 games with Kingston of the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League in 1976-77 and 92 points (43 goals, 49 assists) in 55 games the following season, when he also played for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship. (approx 1 - 2 per week). 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. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. 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. Throughout 15 years of professional hockey, I'm lucky enough to say that there are many moments I'm proud of. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. When submitting content, please abide by our, Hockey Night in Canada: Senators vs. Blue Jackets on Sportsnet, Watch Hockey Night in Canada with Steve Dangle: Oilers vs. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Or write about sports? I was scared to say a peep in class. Tony was born on February 15, 1958 in Montreal, Quebec.. Tony is one of the famous and trending celeb who is popular for being a Ice Hockey. While in Minnesota, he joined the late John Mariucci and Cal Peterson to form an inner-city hockey league for youths. So, I reached out. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! And obviously we watched the games, the Leafs and the Red Wings on TV back in the six-team league. Why did you feel like that was necessary? 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. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. 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.

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