Stephen Wochy[1] ( Wojciechowski; December 25, 1922) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who played 54 games for the Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League between 1944 and 1946. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1940 to 1955, was spent in the minor leagues. He was born in Fort William, Ontario but has called Sault Ste Marie, Ontario his home since 1954. After Jim Conacher's death in April 2020, he became the oldest living former NHL player.[2] He is the second NHL player to become a centenarian, Al Suomi being the first known.[3]

Steve Wochy
Wochy, c. 1943
Born (1922-12-25) December 25, 1922 (age 101)
Fort William, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 158 lb (72 kg; 11 st 4 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1940–1955

Before playing in the NHL, Wojciechowski was a member of the Port Arthur Bearcats in 1942 appearing in the 1942 Allan Cup. Wojciechowski played 10 seasons in the American Hockey League after leaving the NHL, with the Indianapolis Capitals, Philadelphia Rockets, Cleveland Barons and Buffalo Bisons. Wojciechowski was named a first-team AHL All-star in 1952.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1938–39 Fort William Maroons TBJHL 18 14 11 25 20 5 4 0 4 7
1939–40 Port Arthur Bruins TBJHL 16 16 9 25 2
1939–40 Port Arthur Bearcats TBSHL 1 0 0 0 0
1940–41 Port Arthur Bruins TBJHL 16 16 21 37 29 6 8 4 12 4
1941–42 Port Arthur Bruins TBJHL 18 22 41 63 55 3 4 5 9 13
1941–42 Port Arthur Bearcats TBSHL 1 1 1 2 0
1941–42 Port Arthur Bearcats Al-Cup 17 10 7 17 17
1942–43 St. Catharines Saints OHA Sr 17 21 15 36 7 3 1 1 2 0
1943–44 Winnipeg Army WNDHL 10 8 8 16 2
1944–45 Detroit Red Wings NHL 49 19 20 39 17 6 0 1 1 0
1944–45 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 1 0 0 0 0
1945–46 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 30 14 20 34 14
1945–46 Omaha Knights USHL 17 4 10 14 4 7 1 2 3 2
1946–47 Detroit Red Wings NHL 5 0 0 0 0
1946–47 Indianapolis Capitals AHL 56 21 24 45 4
1947–48 Philadelphia Rockets AHL 68 37 29 66 27
1948–49 Philadelphia Rockets AHL 68 29 28 57 37
1949–50 Cleveland Barons AHL 47 21 23 44 12 6 3 3 6 4
1950–51 Cleveland Barons AHL 58 26 30 56 24
1951–52 Cleveland Barons AHL 68 37 41 78 42 5 2 0 2 2
1952–53 Cleveland Barons AHL 64 37 31 68 16 10 1 4 5 2
1953–54 Buffalo Bisons AHL 70 26 32 58 18 3 0 1 1 2
1954–55 Buffalo Bisons AHL 17 5 4 9 2
1954–55 Soo Greyhounds NOHA 23 10 7 17 13
AHL totals 547 253 262 515 196 24 6 8 14 10
NHL totals 54 19 20 39 17 6 0 1 1 0

References

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  1. ^ Campbell, Ken (April 23, 2020). "Meet Steve Wochy, the NHL's oldest living player". The Hockey News. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  2. ^ Falkner, Mark (May 21, 2020). "Oldest living NHLer Steve Wochy just missed Red Wings' dynasty in 1950s". The Detroit News. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  3. ^ Dilello, Ty (December 24, 2022). "Wochy reflects on NHL career on 100th birthday". NHL.com. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
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