Player Profile

Tony McKegney

15 Interesting Facts

Tony McKegney was a trailblazing NHL forward who became the first Black player in league history to record a 40-goal season.

Position
Left wing
Jersey
#25
Status
Retired
Teams
8
Facts
15
1

He became the first Black player in league history to score 40 goals in a single season.

2

He was born in Montreal to a Nigerian father and a Canadian mother.

3

He was adopted and raised by a white family in Sarnia, Ontario.

4

He recorded over 300 career regular-season goals during his time in the NHL.

5

He played for eight different NHL franchises throughout his 13-season career.

6

He was selected 32nd overall in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft by the Buffalo Sabres.

7

He signed a contract with the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA, but the deal was canceled after fans threatened to boycott.

8

He played a season in Italy for Varese HC after his NHL career concluded.

9

He appeared in 79 career playoff games, recording 47 points.

10

He was a standout junior player for the Kingston Canadians in the OMJHL.

11

His 78 points in the 1987-88 season stood as the record for a Black player until the 2001-02 campaign.

12

He participated in three games for the Canadian National Team in 1991-92.

13

He played his final professional games for the San Diego Gulls in the IHL during the 1992-93 season.

14

He currently contributes to the alumni associations for the Buffalo Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings.

15

He recorded nine separate seasons with at least 20 goals scored.

About Tony McKegney

Tony McKegney was a prolific goal-scorer who played 13 seasons in the NHL, becoming the first Black player in league history to reach the 40-goal plateau in a single season. Known for his offensive consistency, he recorded over 300 career goals and nine 20-goal seasons while playing for eight different NHL franchises.

Career Achievements & Milestones

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First Black player in NHL history to score 40 goals in a season

1987-88

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OMJHL First All-Star Team

1977

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OMJHL Second All-Star Team

1978

Player Information & Stats

Detailed career statistics and background information about Tony McKegney.

Player Info

Country: Canada
Position: Left wing
Jersey #: 25
Status: Retired
Age: 68 years old

Physical Stats

Height: 6' 1" (185 cm)
Weight: 200 lbs (91 kg)
Born: Montreal, Quebec

Career Stats

Seasons: 13
Goals: 320
Assists: 319
Points: 639
Teams: 8
Drafted: 1978
Round: 2 nd

Season Scoring

Goals Assists Stack = points · scale 0–78
1978-79
1979-80
1980-81
1981-82
1982-83
1983-84
1984-85
1985-86
1986-87
1987-88
First Black player in NHL history t…
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91

Teams & Career

Buffalo Sabres Quebec Nordiques Minnesota North Stars New York Rangers St. Louis Blues Detroit Red Wings Chicago Blackhawks Varese HC

Tony McKegney played for 8 different teams during his 13 seasons career. He was originally drafted 2nd overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 1978.