Ian McKegney

Ian McKegney played 3 years of college hockey at the University of Waterloo, Ontario receiving a Degree in Enginnering. After graduation Ian did not have an offer to play pro hockey in North America, so he decided to accept an offer to play with IFK Lulea in Sweden.

Following the season in Sweden, Ian, a 5'11" 165lb defenseman, was offered a tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks. McKegney impressed the Hawks enough to sign him to a minor league contract where they were looking to fill up the roster with their affiliate team in Dallas of the Central Hockey League.

Ian would play the next 5 seasons in Dallas as a standout defenseman. He was a CHL all star in three of those seasons (1973, 1975, 1976), and was twice named as the CHL's top d-man (1975 and 1976). He also was named the CHL's Most Valuable Player in 1976.

McKegney was an incredibly clean defenseman. His highest PIM total in a professional season was just 21 minutes. Due to his small size (5'-11" 165 lbs.), he relied on his speed and intelligence to thwart the opposition. Not a great offensive force (his highest point total in the CHL was 41 points) McKegney solid defensively despite his lack of physical gifts that most defensemen need to succeed.

The National Hockey League thought he was to small to play in the N.H.L. He did however appear in 3 games with the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1976-77 season.

Ian, by the way, is the brother of Tony McKegney. Tony of course became hockey's first high scoring black hockey player. Ian however is white. Tony was adopted into the McKegney family.