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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. McKegney was born in Montreal, but was adopted by a white family in Sarnia, Ont. Tony McKegney is an Ice Hockey Player who was born on February 15, 1958 in Canada. Tony McKegney erased any doubt that a black player could be a prominent goal-scorer in the NHL. The Buffalo Sabres recently unveiled a partnership with local artist Edreys Wajed in honor of Black History Month. All Rights Reserved. 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. My first time playing against another black hockey player was probably my third year in the NHL, Grant Fuhr and Ray Neufeld. "It felt like they were ripping out my heart. And my brother was four years older than me and and took a lot more abuse than I did. So, we laughed about it later on over a few beers. He sat down with Donnovan Bennett to discuss the struggles, success and lessons that came. McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. Sign up for Stathead Hockey - first month free. Im sure it affected me. SN: The numbers of black players at all levels has increased. I've always been a player that plays on enthusiasm, and I was just losing my zest for the game.". Last seen in the 1992-1993 season with the San Diego Gulls (IHL). Highlighting Black players throughout Buffalo Sabres history. 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. Look, there's a Black player who did what some people said he couldn't. 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. AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, (select parishes), MD, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY, CA-ONT only.Eligibility restrictions apply. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Join our linker program. 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. After scoring 36 goals for the Sabres in 1982-83, McKegney was traded to the Quebec Nordiques. 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. "I was incredulous. TM: We just sort of stayed away from it. He stayed through 1983 and was a regular almost all of the time. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). An error has occurred while trying to update your details. 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. And I followed the advice that the great Willie O'Ree has given so many times: channel your energy into lighting the red light. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. "I could not imagine [why] this guy wasn't given a better opportunity," Bassin said. 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. So I did the only thing I could do: I focused on perseverance. Hes won Stanley Cups.. Find out more. tony mckegney family https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 ICC ICC https://iccleveland.org/wp-content/themes/icc/images . Still, I'd been thinking about that particular goal mark for a while. 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. I didnt talk to many people about it. Oilers' Mike Green out three to four weeks with knee injury, Islanders re-assign Josh Ho-Sang to Blues' AHL affiliate. SN: How has it impacted you as youve moved on from the game? When he left, he was the all-time leading scorer. Sometimes what has been said in the past is that once hes established he doesnt produce as much. - Improve your search rank Sorry we could not verify that email address. Tony McKegney is a member of famous Ice Hockey list. He vowed his sons would never play, but his eldest, Jonathan, had other plans. Saunders didn't seem bitter or disappointed about not quite making it in the NHL, Jarrett said. I feel that I had a pretty good upbringing. But I think sports probably helped a lot, because we were known as athletes and so forth. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Season Players Videos. After playing for Pickering, Saunders got a full scholarship to Western Michigan University and played there for four years. 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. So, I reached out. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. (Tony McKegney, the fourth black player, debuted in 1978). Contents 1 Playing Career 2 Post-Playing Career 3 Career Statistics 4 Accolades 5 Personal Life Playing Career Go beyond the basics. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular seasons 80 games. Why did you feel like that was necessary? If my career took some pressure off of him, or anyone who looks like us, I'm very proud of that. I was there in the audience watching the games, and I heard the comments that were [made about him]. And if those people were wrong about his future in hockey, what else might they be wrong about? Important: An official team/league url or a team document must be provided for us to update player stats. And the NHL has done a great job with helping. Halls contract with the Bills had expired, although left unanswered is whether the team made an effort to retain him or Hall simply was rea. Tony McKegney player profile, stats and championships. Of his 13 years in the NHL, he spent the most time with the Sabres. Of course, sports will never make us color blind, and colorblindness is not the goal. '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. I ignored that coach, of course. *I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time. He was a role model." Embed from Getty Images Getty Images Sport Graig Abel He says he has moved on. 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 sent back to the minors, without any explanation. 1978 round 2 #32 overall by Buffalo Sabres, OMJHL So Bassin gave him that chance. 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 1978-79 until 1990-91. As part of the NHL's celebration of Black History Month, NHL.com will highlight great moments and important figures in black hockey history each day throughout February. 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? Player stats broken down into various categories; i.e. Unlimited access for the whole family until Feb 21. He would like for both to be able to remember their father in an NHL uniform. 710K subscribers Tony McKegney is one of the pioneers of breaking the colour barrier within the NHL. "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.". SN: How did it make you feel when you saw it? Relatives: Brother Ian McKegney. All rights reserved. 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. 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 is a well known Ice Hockey. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. I think his biggest value to our club has been his ability to score, Blues coach Jacques Martin said. "People just forget me because I didn't play. Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. But I know my brother took a lot more abuse than I did because I saw it. He is not dating anyone. Javascript is required for the selection of a player. Former NHL forward Tony McKegney has been charged with impaired driving on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. We celebrate Willie ORee, the first black player in the NHL, and maybe mention Mike Marson, who was the second, then the conversation shifts all the way to the unprecedented diversity we see in the game today. 32) of the 1978 NHL Draft. They were playing Ottawa and there were five black players in the game on the two teams combined. 8 9 25 25 10 7 14 11. / Special to NHL.com, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. And my teammates treated me like I was not any different than anybody. People weren't used to seeing a Black player succeed on the ice. Stay tuned to Die By the Blade over the course of the month as we continue to highlight Black players in Buffalo Sabres history. Tony McKegney (Born onFebruary 15, 1958) -- Tony McKegney was something of a pioneer in the world of hockey. Youre a great player. Hes been an All-Star. It was wintertime and my dad had floodlights out there. Lightning. The more hockey lives up to those ideals, the better we'll all be. Please contact us. 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. Tony currently does periodic work on behalf of the Red Wings Alumni Association and the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. We present them here for purely educational purposes. "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. There weren't many black players in the junior league at the time. Thats basically what got me where I am today., Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Search instead in Creative? All Rights Reserved. Things just felt right that year. Part of the reason McKegney wants to continue a while longer is because of sons Daniel, 2 1/2 , and Robert, 7 months. WHA hat tricks courtesy Scott Surgent. TONY MCKEGNEY: I was adopted when I was 18 months old and I moved [in with my adoptive family]. How does that make you feel? You reached out to him afterwards. '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. It's not the 40 goals I scored. Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32nd overall), 1978 NHL Amateur. But I always wanted to be, and knew I could be, a dominant player. The Bulls released McKegney from his contract, and he joined the Sabres as their second-round draft choice. We use cookies to improve your experience. McKegney left the NHL after 1990-91 with 639 points (320 goals, 319 assists). After playing for 15 years professionally, it was a hard transition and Im sure Ive made some mistakes and would do some things differently. 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. 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. Lightning. "I was just this shy, quiet kid in Chteauguay. "I literally got through the game, went into this closet, and I just cried. TM: No, not really. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. I just tried to shut everything else out. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Pages with non-numeric formatnum arguments. McKegney scored 37 goals in 1980-81. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Saturday, March 4, 4:33AM. He would play 23 games with the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93 before retiring. By midseason, people started to notice. I wanted to be the best, that was a driving force. 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. At the same time, he's disappointed that he's been excluded from conversations about the first black players in the NHL. Forward Born Feb 15 1958 -- Montreal, PQ [65 yrs. 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. I was scared to say a peep in class. Other than that, I hadnt played against another black hockey player my whole life. With St. Louis, a team decimated this season by injuries, his presence has been more valued than ever was expected. Hockey made me gave me all the confidence in the world.". 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. 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. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email. Year By Year Fight Totals. Jarrett won the scoring title and says he couldn't have done it without Saunders at his side. 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. Its basically black children. There was nothing special about the goal. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). TM: I liked all sports. We had a hockey rink, actually, in our back yard that my parents made each year.. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Saunders, 63, who now lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C., has since retired and written a book about his life. John Kreiser, Stanley Cup Final | Avalanche vs. Brother: Ian McKegney Boards and the whole thing. Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted. Tony McKegney has never won a Stanley Cup as a player. 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. As of this date, Sue is single. Tony sun sign is Aquarius and his birth flower is Violet & Primrose. Dating & Relationship status He is currently single. 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. 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. The next day, the other team's coach called to apologize for what had happened, which Saunders found promising a sign that things were changing, albeit slowly. There were a few other (skaters) that were sort of up and down.. It is a priority for CBC to create products that are accessible to all in Canada including people with visual, hearing, motor and cognitive challenges. Only once has he played in fewer than 60 of the regular season's 80 games. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. They were around five and six years old. Bernie Saunders, one of the NHL's first black players, never thought he would find himself coaching youth hockey. 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. My parents had three children of their own, and they adopted three children, he said. Saunders says it's tremendous. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. The conversation about black players in hockey is often a binary one even during Black History Month. Overall, his NHL career saw him appear in 912 regular season games and accrue 639 points. Sabres Memories is presented by BCBSWNY. He has no evidence, he says, but he figures race had something to do with it. 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. McKegney vividly recalls the support from his parents - Lowry McKegney, a retired chemist, and Cathy McKegney. It made me angry, made me sad. 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. 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. Wikifamouspeople has ranked Tony McKegney as of the . Saunders, a right-winger, played 10 games for the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. 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). I showed up there and I remember sitting on my adoptive mothers knee and looking out the dining room window at this ice rink. "They always came up with their hardest stuff, their elbows and what-not, and tried to punish me.". Tony was drafted 32nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. 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. 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. Some hockey portraits on this site are licensed from Images on Ice, Hockeys Photo Agency. I tried to, basically, suppress a lot of those feelings back then, and I just buried a lot of things. Browse 82 tony mckegney stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Buffalo looks to bounce back with a clean slate against another tough team. TM: I remember mentioning to Grant Fuhr, it mightve been an All-Star Game or something, I said, Youre lucky. He became a standout in hockey while playing junior, scoring 135 points in 66 games in 1976-77. But he was reassigned to the minors. Sign up for EP Premium and verify your profile to access these benefits. There isnt enough recent news in your lineup. McKegney spent less than two years with the Nordiques, and had several more stops around the NHL during the next several seasons. Saunders was born in Montreal in 1956. And I know they weren't alone in their thoughts. And between the benches, one of the guys said it would be termed as a black-on-black crime. There is one number, though, that says a lot about the season I had in 1987-88. I'm certainly proud to have been one of the first consistent Black players in the NHL. 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. More Tony McKegney videos. His older brother John was the first to lace up skates. In this article, we covered Tony McKegney's net worth, wiki, bio, career, height, weight, pics, family, affairs, car, salary, age, facts, and other details in 2022. 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. I relied on the support of my teammates who were always there for me. They started out with walker-type things out on the ice, and then they graduated to the point where they were scrimmaging, McKegney said. He played four games with the Nordiques at the end of the 1979-80 season, the team's first season in the NHL. Closed Captioning and Described Video is available for many CBC shows offered on CBC Gem. 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 was born in Montreal, but was adopted soon thereafter, and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario. 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). TM: I had several concussions, so thats not been a good scenario for me. Tony McKegney had 639 points over his career. (OHL). 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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Or write about sports? Saunders scored twice in his debut, and it quickly became clear to Bassin he should have been playing at a higher level. I was trying to convey something that I think is still true today: Sports can be the common denominator that brings people together. I loved basketball, football, baseball, golf. Well give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to My Favourites. If I could be half the man my father was, Id be doing pretty well, he said. His point production dropped off, but he was still eventually called up to the big club. 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. Buy his book. 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. 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. He learned to fight, to defend himself, but mainly he tried to keep scoring. Tony McKegney. There hadnt been many blacks in the NHL when he arrived, but hopefully his talent made quite a few people color-blind. Buffalo Sabres Schedule, Roster, News, and Rumors | Die By The Blade, Celebrating Black History Month: Tony McKegney, Game Thread: Sabres vs. 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. Your existing password has not been changed. We were all set to move, until the homeowner told us there was a problem: They didn't want to rent to us once they found out we were a biracial couple. Another referee determined he made a kicking motion and gave him a match penalty. Taking into account various assets, Sue's net worth is greater than $50,000 - $99,999; and makes between $20 - 29,999 a year. Like I said, numbers never tell the whole story. I feel for them all and support them unequivocally. He was a 4x 30-goal scorer and set career highs in 1988 with 40 goals and 78 points. - EP Contact Book listing of your profile (optional) He is also aware of his role-model responsibilities as one of only five blacks currently playing in the league. McKegney was arrested June 23 and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal contempt on July 8, according to court records. "Everything Bernie Saunders has, he earned, in spite of [whether] there's been prejudice along the way.". Then the Buffalo Braves were there, the basketball team. The McKegney brothers (l-r), Mike, Tony, Ian and friends on their backyard rink in Sarnia, Ontario in 1962. When sports are at their best, that's what they can do. 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. They're too neat; too objective. Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! It's a big deal that Grant, Willie, and now Jarome have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I loved the game, but the game didn't love me.". A centre, he said the way they clicked on the ice was as though they'd been playing together forever. He jumped to the AHLs Hershey Bears and then the Sabres, making his NHL debut in the 1978-79 season. I've always considered it a great compliment to play a small part in Jarome's story. Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams. It's also available for football, basketball and baseball. Tony McKegney Height, Weight & Measurements At 63 years old, Tony McKegney height is 1.85 m and Weight 91 kg. (approx 1 - 2 per week). I remember starting the season with 10 goals in the first 15 games and getting a lot of ice time. To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). 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. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. Complete record of every goal scored or assisted by the player. It barely made it over the line. The hockey portion and the support from teammates and my parents and other hockey parents all the way along got me through it. Obviously, I know Im on the back 9 - if you want to compare it to golf. Saunders decided that was it. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. Early Life and Family: Education: Tony McKegney Net Worth: McKegney was selected 32nd overall in 1978 after scoring 92 points with the Kingston Canadians. 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. I probably should have, and I never did that. 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. Until we get rinks in the inner (American) cities, I dont think thats going to change.. Did that ever dissuade you at all from getting into the game? Born: February 15,1958 inMontreal,Quebec ca, Draft: Buffalo, 2nd round (32ndoverall), 1978NHLAmateur. I always loved the game, but I didn't see myself reflected in it. 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. It was a personal best for me -- the first and only time I'd join the NHL's 40-goal club. Theres another occasion where Ray Neufeld and I got into a scuffle. SN: What were the conversations like between you and your brother about the abuse he faced? Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. 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. Sue maintains relationships with many people -- family, friends, associates, & neighbors -- including Daniel Mckegney, Daniel Mckegney, Marilynn Habberfie, Roger Habberfield and Tony Mckegney. After leaving the NHL, he had a long, successful career in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. There have been 93 black players in the NHL. Amateur Teams: Kingston Canadians. Some may find that number low. Its just something I never envisioned when I was growing up seeing five black hockey players playing in the same game. Part one focused on diversity and race in hockey, while part two reflected back on their time with the Sabres/Amerks. 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. And that was the Buffalo Sabres. Eliteprospects.com hockey player profile of Tony McKegney, 1958-02-15 Montral, QC, CAN Canada. But I cherish everything about that goal that found my stick in the last minute of the last game of my 1987-88 season with the St. Louis Blues. Then he was dealt to the Nordiques in a massive swap involving Quebecs Real Cloutier. 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. SN: When you got to the league was it a lonely existence for you? As a teenager he played Jr. 'B' hockey in Sarnia. by I remember the reporter asking me about growing up in a town where there were only two Black families among 50,000 people.