Saturday’s annual Algoma Steel Family Day festivities for employees, their families and retirees featured the presentation of a gift from the steel plant’s management to a special guest.
Steve Wochy - now 101 and one of Algoma’s oldest retirees - was presented with a personalized hockey jersey by Algoma Steel CEO Michael Garcia.
The unique jersey included the Algoma Steel logo and Wochy's employee clock number 22993.
Steve Wochy (Wojciechowski), born Dec. 25, 1922 in Fort William - now Thunder Bay - is the oldest living former NHL player.
A right winger, he played 54 games for the Detroit Red Wings between 1944 and 1946. He played the rest of his career from 1940 to 1955 in the minor leagues. He has lived in the Sault since 1954 and worked for decades at Algoma Steel.
“They didn’t give me any jerseys to take home from when I played hockey,” Wochy smiled in a conversation with SooToday, pleased to receive Algoma Steel’s gift.
In turn, he autographed an Algoma Steel hockey jersey for management at Saturday’s festivities.
Wochy worked in security at the steel plant as a shift sergeant.
“I’m still collecting a pension from Algoma Steel. They’ve been good to me. I’m still eating and I’m happy to be here for this today,” Wochy said with a grin.
Algoma Steel Family Day activities took place near No. 2 Gate on the company’s administration building grounds and included inflatables, a miniature train, balloon animals and more for children, a ‘TONKA Land’ display of a fire services truck and heavy machinery used at the steel plant, food from several vendors and live entertainment.