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Former Detroit Red Wings forward Steve Wochy is the Timex watch of the NHL. He just keeps on ticking.
Not only is he the oldest living player in NHL history, he’s the first Red Wings player to celebrate his 100th birthday.
That, the NHL has decided, is worthy of a tribute. Wochy is the subject of a new film released by NHL Productions.
“What can I say?” Wochy expresses during the film. “I’m still here.”
Wochy Set Red Wings Rookie Mark
Though his NHL career was brief, it was still 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 counted 13 goals by Christmas that season. His slate would include four two-goal games.
“I had good center icemen,” Wochy accounted for his success as an NHL rookie. “I had Don Grosso from the Soo, who was very good.
“If they hadn’t traded Grosso (to Chicago during the 1944-45 season) I would’ve had a lot more. You have to have somebody you can play with and team up with. You can’t do it on your own, I don’t care who you are.”
Two years later, Jim McFadden (24-24-48) would shatter Wochy’s Detroit rookie standards while winning the Calder Trophy. Today, the Red Wings rookie scoring mark of 39 goals and 48 assists is held by Steve Yzerman, the team’s current GM.
Nearly Won Stanley Cup
In the spring of 1945, Wochy was part of a Red Wings team that came within a win of capturing 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 following the conclusion of World War II, spots in the league were at a premium.
ON 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 Showcase (@hockey_vintage) December 25, 2020
Wochy would play just five more NHL games with the Red Wings in 1946-47 during an 11-season pro 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 1951-52 Cleveland Barons. That performance wound up earning him AHL First Team All-Star status.
Red Wings Icon Gordie Howe Was His Linemate
“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 a chance to play with Jacques Plante in Buffalo (also in the AHL).”
Not only did Wochy play on the same team as Mr. Hockey, the two were linemates with the USHL Omaha Knights during Howe’s rookie pro season. Howe was just 17 years old at the time, but Wochy could already see greatness blooming.
“He was good, yeah,” Wochy said of Howe. “He was fun to play with.”
How Wochy came to be teammates with Howe is a story in itself. Back in the day, it was frowned upon for players to marry in-season. Wochy opted to violate this unwritten rule and wed his wife Shirley, but was certain he had a caveat.
“I was playing in Indianapolis (AHL),” Wochy explained. “(Detroit coach-GM) Jack Adams, he got mad at me because I got married in January. The reason I got married was I had a broken hand and couldn’t play.
“I was on a train trip I believe to go to Pittsburgh. (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 Story
Wochy lives today in Sault Ste. Marie, where he would finish his pro career. His story is narrated by another famous player who would toil in the Soo, 2005-06 Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton.
“Steve, consider this a letter to you, from myself and the entire hockey community,” Thornton said. “I couldn’t think of a better ambassador for the sport we all love.
“You’re living proof that retirement isn’t the end of our story, it’s just the start of the next chapter.”
From Wochy’s point of view, he doesn’t ponder his longevity, or his place in NHL history.
“Could be good genes, eh?” Wochy said. “My brother lived to 95 and my sister lived to be 99.
“I’m up and around, that’s the main thing. You’ve got to get up and move. I have good neighbors who help me out. They’ve all been good to me.”
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TODAY'S BEST
NHL Analyst Makes Surprising Sabres-Jets Comparison That May Change Entire Playoff Race
NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News said that if the Sabres manage to get 3 out of 4 points vs. the Jets next season, that could decide their playoff fate. The Buffalo Sabres are under immense pressure to end their 14-year playoff famine next season. If they are to do so, they'll need good results against everyone, the top-end teams like Central Division champion Winnipeg Jets included. The Jets were the best regular-season team last year, winning one round of the playoffs before falling to Dallas. Winnipeg signed veteran center Jonathan Toews, now 37 and returning after a two-year leave, winger Gustav Nyquist, and depth scorer Tanner Pearson this offseason. The loss of Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency hurts, but the acquisitions should offset some of the lost offense. Despite their talent, Winnipeg had playoff vulnerabilities revealed, most notably goalie Connor Hellebuyck's third straight below-average postseason (.866 save percentage) and underwhelming special teams. For Buffalo, testing the Jets' defense will be key, especially in their early December stretch of two games with Winnipeg in four days, bookended around a game with Philadelphia. The Sabres Earned 3 of a Possible 4 Points vs. the Jets Last Season The Sabres earned a split decision versus the Jets last season, with a point for an overtime loss. They could catch a break if they face backup goaltender Eric Comrie for one game; his regular-season numbers (.914 SV%, 2.39 GAA) are respectable but not quite as intimidating as Hellebuyck's. Beating the Jets twice will be a challenge to any team, but duplicating last year's results, a victory and an overtime loss, is a reasonable expectation. The early contests would appear to favor Buffalo, as Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff still has $3.9 million of cap space that is likely being reserved for later-season additions. If Buffalo can keep pace with the Jets, it will be a sign they're ready to fight for a playoff spot at last, per NHL analyst Adam Proteau of The Hockey News. 'If the Sabres are able to hang with the Jets in their two games next season, it could be an indication Buffalo is going to silence their doubters and play post-season hockey after a stretch of failure that has stunned even the Sabres' most fervent supporters. Buffalo has a chance to send a blunt message to Winnipeg by beating them more than once, and doing so could prove to be the difference between the Sabres making or missing the playoffs.' - Adam Proteau A solid performance could send a message and be a turning point toward ending one of the longest playoff droughts in the NHL.
Three teams that should take a flier on Odell Beckham Jr. for the 2025 season
Former New York Giants superstar and current free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. emerged in the headlines on Tuesday afternoon. The 32-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down a fake report that he was retiring from the NFL. Beckham spent the 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins in a very limited role, recording just nine receptions for 55 yards in nine games. However, he was a solid contributor as a Baltimore Raven the year prior, showing that he can still provide some production at this point in his career. Given that OBJ has no interest in calling it quits just yet, let’s look at three teams that should take a shot on the three-time Pro Bowler to see how much juice he’s got left in him. New York Giants How about a reunion in the Big Apple? It would only be fitting for Beckham to finish his career in the place where it all started. Superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers runs the show on offense, but after that, there are plenty of question marks. Wide receivers Wan'Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton slot in as solid options behind Nabers, but it would not hurt to add a veteran like Beckham into the mix. He knows what it's like playing in such a big market and could mentor the Giants' young offensive weapons while providing some depth production when called upon. Las Vegas Raiders There may not be a team with more of a need at the wide receiver position than the Las Vegas Raiders. The targets are understandably funneled to superstar tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, but they need help beyond those two. Third-year wide receiver Tre Tucker and rookie wideouts Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. are next in line. While those three may play big roles right from the start, the Raiders could certainly use another experienced pass-catcher, and Beckham is a nice option to fill that role. Perhaps he even shows himself to be worthy of the WR2 spot. Buffalo Bills The third team that could be in play for Beckham is the Buffalo Bills. With Josh Allen in his prime, they need to continue putting weapons around him whenever possible. Second-year wide receiver Keon Coleman and free-agent signing Joshua Palmer are atop the depth chart in Buffalo, while reliable wideout Khalil Shakir is nicked up with an ankle injury. Longtime Carolina Panthers receiver Curtis Samuel also remains in the mix but is dealing with a hamstring ailment and has had injury woes in the past. Outside of Shakir, it's hard to know what you're going to get from the rest of the position group. Beckham will likely want to join a contender or somewhere he can play more of a factor than he did with the Dolphins in 2024-25, so keep an eye on the Bills.
How former Jets WR knew Aaron Glenn would release Aaron Rodgers
In January, former NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson guaranteed that his ex-teammate, first-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, would not "start off his career with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback in September." Johnson was right, as a new-look Jets regime led by Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey decided in February that Rodgers would be leaving the club after two underwhelming seasons. For a piece published on Wednesday, Johnson spoke with The Athletic's Ian O'Connor about his accurate prediction. "I’m the first person to ever say Aaron Rodgers was not going to be on this year’s team," Johnson explained. "I didn’t get it from anybody; I just knew from looking at all the coaches Aaron Glenn has learned from: Bill Parcells. Bill Belichick. Sean Payton. Dan Campbell. I knew how they would deal with Aaron Rodgers, so I knew how AG would deal with him. AG is his own man, and he doesn’t stand for any nonsense." Before Johnson made his initial guarantee, Parcells and New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees mentioned that Glenn "doesn’t [mess] around" and will be "a leader of men." It remains somewhat unclear if the "nonsense" referenced by Johnson has anything to do with Rodgers' weekly in-season appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show." In June 2024, Rodgers skipped the Jets' two-day mandatory minicamp because of a pre-planned trip to Egypt. He subsequently won just five of 17 starts coming off the season-ending torn Achilles tendon he suffered in September 2023. Johnson's comments indicate the Jets wouldn't have tolerated Rodgers remaining an unsigned free agent through early June as he dealt with undisclosed personal matters. Rodgers ultimately signed a team-friendly contract to join the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of their three-day mandatory minicamp, and he seems to be quite popular among his new teammates. Meanwhile, Jets players have embraced Glenn holding more "physical" practices during training camp after former head coach Robert Saleh went 20-36 as Gang Green head coach before he was fired last fall. "Aaron Glenn is going to get in people’s ear and tell them what time it is, and that’s who he was as a player," Johnson added. "There are so many bulls----ers in this business, and he isn’t one of them. I haven’t been to a Jets game since they traded me (in 2000), and the only reason I’m going to the Jets-Giants preseason game is Aaron Glenn." The Giants will represent the home team on Saturday against the Jets at MetLife Stadium. In March, the Jets took a flier on 26-year-old quarterback Justin Fields when they signed him to a two-year, $40M contract that included $30M guaranteed. They can escape that deal as soon as next offseason, but it sounds like Glenn would rather start from scratch in 2026 than put up with Rodgers for a single campaign.
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The Miami Dolphins may have sustained another major injury. Just days after RB Alexander Mattison fell with a season-ending neck injury, all eyes are set on Chop Robinson now. According to a report by Ari Meirov, the second-year linebacker sustained an apparent injury, and while the team has yet to disclose more information, he had to be carted off the field: Chop Robinson was carted off the field "Dolphins EDGE Chop Robinson was carted off at practice today after suffering an apparent injury during a scrimmage period," Meirov reported. Robinson, who was taken out of Penn State with the No. 21 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, turned plenty of heads in his first year in the league: “I enjoyed it (his rookie season) a little bit,” Robinson told the Miami Herald, “but it’s Year 2, so whatever happened in the past, that doesn’t really matter anymore. I’m just focused on this year.” Robinson ranked second among rookies with six sacks and 14 quarterback hits, and he entered the season with an 11.0 sacks projection and +15000 odds of winning Defensive Player of the Year. Chop Robinson is excited about the Dolphins' defensive front He's also expected to make a big impact next to Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, both of whom will be returning from major injuries of their own: “I’m super excited,” Robinson said. “Just imagining the three of us on the field at the same time, or just me and JP or JP and Chubb at the same time, it’s kind of hard for tackles to [say], ‘All right, you’ve got to study JP, you’ve got to study Chubb, you’ve got to study me.’ And if we’re all on the field at the same time, it [can] kind of mess up the offense’s mind because they wouldn’t know what to do.” Hopefully, this won't be too serious, and while the team may err on the side of caution and hold him out for the remainder of the preseason, he'll be back out there and ready to go in Week 1.
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