Oldest living former NHLer still plays street hockey with neighborhood kids at 99 years old!

Just two months shy of his 100th birthday and you can't keep former Detroit Red Wings forward Steve Wochy away from the game. 

At 99 years old, St. Sault Marie, Ontario's Wochy still breaks out the old twig every now and then to play some street hockey with local kids on his quiet suburban street. Wochy is the oldest living former NHL player, having played a total of just 54 games with the Red Wings from 1944 until 1947. He had a full career in the AHL though, with stops in Indianapolis, Omaha, Phildelphia, Cleveland and Buffalo. He did manage 19 goals and 39 points in 49 games as a rookie with the Red Wings back in 1944-45 though.

His best season in the minors came in the 1951-52 season with the AHL's Cleveland Barons when he put up an impressive 37 goals and 78 points in 68 games.

Sault resident Roger Vilaca tells SooToday.com that he's absolutely amazed whenever Wochy comes outside to join the neighborhood kids for a quick game of ball hockey.

“He blows my mind,” he says. “It puts a smile on their faces. They look amazed when he’s giving them pointers.”

“When you ask him about hockey, you just see him glow,” Vilaca says. “He has lots of hockey stories. He’s such an inspiring man, and the heart he has for the kids and the game is incredible to see.”

The 99 year old living legend will turn 100 on Christmas Day and lives a very independent life, especially given his age. Vilaca regularly sees Wochy not only playing some puck, but also tending to his garden, taking out the garbage and walking several blocks to the local grocery story and back. Honestly, this is the kind of life that I think we'd all envision for ourselves in old age. While most people his age are holding on to every breath, this guy is out there showing local kids how to play Old Time Hockey. You love to see it.

Some photos from SooToday.com:

Just proof that age is simply a number. You're only as old as your puckhandling skills say you are.