Ancient Detroit Red Wings Before Steve Wochy is the NHL’s Timex watch. It continues to spin.
Not only is he the oldest living player in NHL history, but he is also the first Red Wings player to celebrate his 100th birthday.
That, the NHL decided, deserves homage. Wochy, who turned 101 on Christmas Day, is the subject of a new film released by NHL Productions.
“What can I say?” Wochy speaks during the film. “I’m still here.”
Wochy Set Red Wings Rookie Mark
Although his NHL career was brief, it was nonetheless memorable. Wochy would finish the 1944-45 season, his only full NHL campaign, with 19 goals and 39 points. At the time, both were records for a Red Wings rookie.
Wochy had 13 goals at Christmas that season. His schedule would include four two-goal games.
“I had good center ice players,” Wochy said of his success as an NHL rookie. “I had Don Grosso du Soo, who was very good.
“If they hadn’t traded Grosso (to Chicago in the 1944-45 season), I would have gotten a lot more. You need to have someone to play with and team up with. You can’t do it alone, no matter who you are.
Two years later, Jim McFadden (24-24-48) would shatter Wochy’s rookie standards in Detroit while winning the Calder Trophy. Today, the Red Wings rookie mark of 39 goals and 48 assists is held by Steve Yzermanthe current general manager of the team.
Almost won the Stanley Cup
In the spring of 1945, Wochy was part of a Red Wings team that nearly won the Stanley Cup. Detroit lost the final series to Toronto in seven games.
And just like that, his NHL dream would turn into a nightmare. With many players returning to the NHL after the end of World War II, spots in the league were scarce.
THIS DAY in hockey history (December 25, 1922): Winger Steve Wochy was born in Fort William, Ontario. Wochy, the oldest living player in NHL history, played 54 games for the @DetroitRedWings #VintageHockey #NHL pic.twitter.com/PHJsFnrMZ4
– Vintage Hockey Display Case (@hockey_vintage) December 25, 2020
Wochy would play only five more NHL games with the Red Wings in 1946-47 during an 11-season professional career.
“I had a lot of good years and a lot of bad years,” Wochy said. “I had too many injuries. Broken cheekbone, broken hand, broken foot. That held me back.
The good years included leading the AHL with 37 goals for the Cleveland Barons from 1951 to 1952. This performance earned him first-team AHL all-star status.
Red Wings icon Gordie Howe was his teammate
“I played with a lot of good players,” Wochy recalled. “I played with Gordie Howe, I played with Johnny Bower for four years (in the AHL with Cleveland) and I had the chance to play with Jacques Plante in Buffalo (also in the AHL).”
Not only did Wochy play on the same team as Mr. Hockey, but the two were teammates with the USHL Omaha Knights during Howe’s rookie professional season. Howe was only 17 at the time, but Wochy was already seeing greatness blossom.
“He was good, yeah,” Wochy said of Howe. “It was fun playing with him.”
How Wochy became teammates with Howe is a story in itself. At the time, it was frowned upon for players to get married during the season. Wochy chose to break this unwritten rule and marry his wife Shirley, but he was sure to have a caveat.
“I was playing in Indianapolis (AHL),” Wochy explained. “(Detroit general manager coach) Jack Adams, he got mad at me because I got married in January. The reason I got married was because I had a broken hand and couldn’t play.
“I was on my way to Pittsburgh, I think. (Adams) took me off the train and sent me to Omaha. He said, “I’ll send you and your new wife on a honeymoon to Omaha.”
“That’s how I ended up playing with Gordie Howe.”
Jumbo Joe tells a story
Wochy now lives in Sault Ste. Marie, where he will end his professional career. His story is told by another famous player who toiled in the Soo, 2005-06 Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton.
“Steve, consider this a letter to you, to myself and to the entire hockey community,” Thornton said. “I couldn’t imagine a better ambassador for the sport we all love.
“You are living proof that retirement is not the end of our story, it is just the beginning of the next chapter.
From Wochy’s perspective, he doesn’t question his longevity or his place in NHL history.
“Could be good genes, huh?” » said Wochy. “My brother lived to be 95 and my sister to 99.
“I’m standing, that’s the main thing. You have to get up and move. I have good neighbors who help me. They have all been good to me.
