Go beyond the basics. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? Enter your email address to get a new one. All Rights Reserved. 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. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. So, I reached out. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Drafted 1974, 1 #2 overall by Kingston Canadians in the OHL Priority Selection, Cult/Star player for Kingston Frontenacs. 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. 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. Why did you feel like that was necessary? Bassin knew Saunders was getting racist taunts, but said Saunders always handled it in stride and never let it get to him. When he was still a toddler, his family moved to the Toronto area. 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. And the support I got from teammates just carried me through some difficult situations. TM: Its wonderful. As of this date, Sue is single. 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. It's something that most Black players at the time trained themselves to do, even though we shouldn't have needed to. Numbers, however, never tell the whole story. "I could deal with it individually, but to see my son go through it was just overwhelming.". I didnt talk to many people about it. The goal is to make stereotypes disappear by making people from all backgrounds feel welcome, celebrated, and empowered on an equal playing field. Saunders was the third highest-scorer at training camp. Tony McKegney | Ice Hockey Wiki | Fandom It's the kind of impact that wins, losses, and point totals can't capture. 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. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. 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. It was a simple chip-in that just dribbled through the goalie's pads. TM: No, not really. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. 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. But hockey was a window of opportunity because we saw people from our area making it. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. 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. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. But I had a rink in my backyard, my own playground. 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. He even scored 40 goals for St. Louis in 1987-88. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. I just tried to shut everything else out. All rights reserved. Caught off balance, his foot went flying in the air. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. We reserve the right to close comments at any time. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! Tony McKegney - QuantHockey I was scared to say a peep in class. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. Black History Month essay: Tony McKegney | NHL.com TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. Subscribe: bit.ly/3925J0FVisit Sabres.com for moreFollow: twitter.com/BuffaloSabresLike: facebook.com/buffalosabresF. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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). They're too neat; too objective. You learn that what matters most is their work ethic, their commitment, their passion, their personality, maybe their sense of humor -- certainly not the way they look. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. I just pushed the stereotypes to the background and kept hockey in the forefront. 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) Would you like to create an account so you can see these Favourites on your other devices too? 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. McKegney scored 31 goals in 1986-87, 29 of them after being traded to the New York Rangers. 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 McKegney has a great family story - Kincardine Independent I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. 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. Saunders was a shy, quiet kid with a remarkable work ethic, Bassin recalls. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. He believes the colour of his skin is part of the reason he didn't. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. But sometimes it comes back to haunt you. (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. Judge to former NHLer Tony McKegney: 'You were a danger to yourself' - Connect directly with players, coaches, teams, scouts and agents (optional) Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: 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. More Tony McKegney videos. Back in 1988, I'm not sure if I realized what it really meant. I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. Transaction information may be incomplete. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. 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. Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. 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. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. I wanted to be as good as my brothers. Playing hockey at a high level is difficult enough without navigating the pressures of racism in society or figuring out how to respond to the supposed "fan" with a sign that says, "McKegney, grab a basketball" behind the Zamboni entrance. 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: He brought up a lot of memories for me, ugly memories. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. He appeared in 363 regular-season games with Buffalo, putting up 127 goals and adding 141 assists. Even reporters, players were coming up to me saying, 'What's going on, Bernie?'". Years later, I found out I was one of the reasons why. You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. TM: We never really talked about it much. Take control of your EliteProspects profile! There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. Tony McKegney had 320 goals over his career. Tony was adopted by the McKegney family when he was an infant. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. Other blacks are forward Dirk Graham of the Minnesota North Stars, goaltender Eldon Pokey Reddick and forward Paul Neufeld of the Winnipeg Jets. Carbonneau, a Hall of Famer who played and coached for the Canadiens and now works as an analyst, remembers Saunders as an honest player and hard worker someone who could do pretty much anything on the ice and served as a veteran presence on the team. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Anytime I faced adversity, I said, Okay, Im going to put a couple of pucks in the net today for sure. And I was just going to show everybody that I was as good or better than them. 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. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. NHL Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Lightning. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. 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. Boards and the whole thing. I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. Approaching the All-Star break, McKegney led the club with 26 goals. 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. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL Jets, Hockey Night in Canada: Maple Leafs vs. Canucks on Sportsnet, Hockey Night in Canada: Oilers vs. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. SN: Was there a brotherhood among the black players in the league? 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. Lightning | Game 61, Sabres Acquire Jordan Greenway, Austin Strand. Tony McKegney Net Worth, Age, Bio, Birthday, Height, Facts 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. Tony McKegney (r.) with brothers Mike (l.) and Steve in front of their house in Sarnia, Ontario in 1970. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. That was my first exposure, to have a hockey rink in my backyard. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. He retired from the NHL in 1991 with 320 goals and 639 points. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Saunders said at the time, O'Ree was more of a mythical figure than anything else. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. Complete player biography and stats. When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mother's knee and looking out the dining . Sherry Bassin, 80, is a former junior hockey executive and another person who helped shape Saunders as a hockey player and a person. Tony McKegney, former NHLer and ambassador for, Hockey is for Everyone, congratulates a participant during the clinic sponsored by the NHL and the. Bailey has appeared in three games with the Canucks this season and was placed on injured reserve on February 12 with an upper-body injury. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. 'We've taken one step forward and two back': Willie O'Ree on fighting racism in sports, This rural Ontario black hockey line broke barriers producing generations of star players, Being Black in Canada: Highlighting the Black experience, CBC's Journalistic Standards and Practices. 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, Tony played for the organization for 3 years until November 13, 1986 when he was traded to the New York Rangers along with Curt Giles and Minnesota's second-round pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Bob Brooke and Minnesota's fourth-round choice in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He was coaching the Pickering Panthers, a Junior B team, when he suspended four players for breaking a rule and got four replacements from a lower-level team. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. 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. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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. We use cookies to improve your experience. 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 *} I know there werent very many [black players]. Hes had the most success. Jarome Iginla gave me a very nice compliment when he said he felt he was at home on the ice and in the school yard, because he could say, Hey, Tony McKegney, hes playing in the NHL. He felt like he belonged on a hockey rink because I was out there. He was released on his own recognizance by City Court. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. Tony McKegney. It brought back some ghosts and nightmares, memories for me, which I hadnt thought about in a while. Bailey, who is biracial, currently plays for the Vancouver Canucks and is in his second season with the organization. This is especially true for a sport like hockey, where community, respect, and teamwork have always been important values. Your existing password has not been changed. "It was just time. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? Economics and demographics - there are far fewer blacks in his native Canada than in the United States - still keep blacks from following him to the pro ranks. He was told teams were interested in trading for him, but the Nordiques didn't let him go. Bernie Saunders played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques, but he and others say his career would have been longer if he wasnt black. 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. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? McKegney still does alumni work for the Sabres and Red Wings. Today, were giving a quick shoutout to former Buffalo Sabres forward Justin Bailey. He played six games and didn't score, but played well. Sabres Tony Mckegney Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Odds & lines subject to change. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. He is vaguely aware of the recent push to change hockey culture. 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.
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