Hockey Player: Tony McKegney
(Mid-game photo. Image courtesy of Wikia)
Background
McKegney was drafted in 1978 to the Buffalo Sabres, 32nd overall. He was born and raised in Montreal. McKegney signed a contract to play in the WHA (World Hockey Association) at age 20 for the Birmingham Bulls (see racism section for more detail). From 1974-1978 he played for the Kingston Canadiens. From 78-79 he moved to the AHL where he played for Hershey Bears.
(Tony McKegney's trading card. Image courtesy of Puck Junk)
Context
Advancements in television and broadcasting came mainly in 1980's. This was the decade where people started to watch news broadcasts such as CNN. ESPN became the leading sports broadcast station around the US. This is important because hockey teams such as the Sabres and Blues got air time. McKegney played for these teams at some point in his career.
Racism in the NHL
Arguably the biggest indicator of racism for Tony McKegney was his loss of a contract in the WHA. McKegney signed a contract to play for the Bulls. When fans of the bulls found out there would be a black player on their team, they boycotted. These boycotts lead to the reneging of the legally signed contract. The owners of the team supported this decision. All of this may come as a surprise, especially because the city was nearly 75% minorities at the time of the incident.
McKegney took racist comments and harassment through his NHL years and beyond. Even when his contract was taken away due to racist fans boycotting, McKegney as able to "bounce back." McKegney's amateur coaches, of the Hershey Bears and Kingston Canadiens, all spoke highly of McKegney's resiliency when it came to racism.
“I never thought so much about my being black until I played professional hockey.” In the early 1980's, for three years, McKegney experienced being the only black player in the NHL. He went on to say, "Someday I will be known as a hockey player."
“[Racism in the NHL] is suppressed more than it’s policed. And sure, it results in a small bit of loneliness. But you can’t dwell on it."
Accomplishments
McKegney scored over 300 career goals, including 40 in the 1987-88 season. His total of 78 points in the 1987-88 season would remain the highest ever recorded by a black player until Jarome Iginla in 2001.
Quotes from McKegney
"Hockey is a beautiful game and I’m proud if I am responsible for exposing that fact to youth. If the fact that I’m black helped catch someone’s attention, then that’s good, too.”
It’s tough enough to survive in the game as a player. Besides, it’s a cakewalk compared to what Jackie Robinson went through with the Dodgers in baseball. I will, though, go so far as to say that I often think about how it is that I’ve been traded six times in my career.”
Additional Information
(Researched and written by Logan Sherwood.)
