The icons of Detroit Red Wings hockey are steadily leaving us. Alex Delvecchio’s recent passing was the last link to the powerhouse clubs of the 1960s.
No matter how long they wore the Winged Wheel, though, they are still worthy of recognition. Jim Morrison, who died last week, only played one season in Detroit but enjoyed a stellar NHL career.
So who’s left, you might ask. Well, thanks to some sterling research by team statistician Greg Innis, here’s a rundown of the 10 oldest-living former Red Wings players.
Red Wings 10 Oldest Living Players
The list of prominent living Red Wings includes the oldest living former NHL player, a guy who went years without taking a penalty, a Hockey Hall of Famer, and a minor-league legend.
Steve Wochy
Age: 103
Date of Birth: 12-25-22
Red Wings Tenure: 1944-45; 1946-47
The only centenarian among living NHL players, Wochy celebrated his 103rd birthday on Christmas Day. Wochy’s 19-20-39 totals with the 1944-45 Red Wings set club rookie records at the time.
“I had good center icemen,” Wochy told DHN about his success as an NHL rookie. “I had Don Grosso from the Soo, who was very good.”
Guyle Fielder
Age: 95
Date of Birth: 11-21-30
Red Wings Tenure: 1952-53; 1957-58
The Gordie Howe of the minor leagues, Fielder’s 1,429 points are a record for minor-pro hockey. However, he was never able to emulate that success at the NHL level. In nine regular-season games and six Stanley Cup playoff games, he never accumulated a single point.
Fielder played four playoff games for Detroit in 1952-53. Given a shot at center between Howe and Ted Lindsay to begin the 1957-58 NHL season, Fielder was shipped back to the minors after going pointless through six games.
Billy Dea
Age: 92
Date of Birth: 4-3-33
Red Wings Tenure: 1956-58; 1969-71
Dea served two stints as a Detroit player. He was with the Wings from 1956-58 after being acquired from the New York Rangers in a 1955 trade. He scored 15 goals during the 1956-57 season. Dea finished his NHL playing days with Detroit from 1969-71.
He was also the club’s head coach for 11 games during the 1981-82 season.
Val Fonteyne
Age: 92
Date of Birth: 12-2-33
Red Wings Tenure: 1959-63; 1964-67
The NHL’s version of Mr. Clean, Fonteyne played the entire 1965-66, 1966-67, and 1967-68 NHL campaigns without being assessed a single penalty.
Val Fonteyne pic.twitter.com/ppV5glLS7v
— David Morris (@DGingrasMorris) June 27, 2024
He played 257 consecutive penalty-free NHL games.
Marc Reaume
Age: 92
Date of Birth: 2-7-34
Red Wings Tenure: 1959-61
Acquired from Toronto for future Hall of Famer Red Kelly during the 1959-60 season, Reaume played just 47 games in Detroit. He never scored a goal. Reaume was also an original with the Vancouver Canucks in 1970-71.
Gary Aldcorn
Age: 90
Date of Birth: 3-7-35
Red Wings Tenure: 1959-61
During the 1959-60 season, Aldcorn scored 22 goals and collected 51 points playing on Gordie Howe’s line.
The Manitoba Sports HOF announces its newest honoured member, Gary Aldcorn! #Hockey #HOF pic.twitter.com/bChcM0p3zv
— Sport Manitoba (@SportManitoba) April 24, 2016
In his post-hockey career, Aldcorn has gained international acclaim for his work as a sculptor.
Johnny Bucyk
Age: 90
Date of Birth: 5-12-35
Red Wings Tenure: 1955-57
Bucyk was a budding prospect when he joined the reigning Cup champion Wings in 1955-56. He played for Detroit in the Stanley Cup final that spring. Bucyk moved to Boston for goalie Terry Sawchuk in a summer 1957 trade of future Hall of Famers. He’d win two Stanley Cups with the Bruins and score 51 goals during the 1970-71 season.
Floyd Smith
Age: 90
Date of Birth: 5-16-35
Red Wings Tenure: 1962-68
Smith was part of the blockbuster 1968 deal with Toronto that landed Frank Mahovlich for the Red Wings. Smith played six seasons with the Wings, scoring a career-high 21 goals in 1965-66.
Forbes Kennedy
Age: 90
Date of Birth: 8-18-35
Red Wings Tenure: 1957-62
Kennedy was a rough-and-tumble type who led the Wings with 135 penalty minutes during the 1957-58 season. In his final NHL season with the 1968-69 Toronto Maple Leafs, Kennedy led the NHL in penalty minutes. His NHL career ended when he punched linesman George Ashley during a brawl in Game 1 of the 1969 NHL playoffs against Boston.
Art Stratton
Age: 90
Date of Birth: 10-8-35
Red Wings Tenure: 1963-64
Stratton’s entire Red Wings tenure lasted five games during the 1963-64 season, but he managed to collect three assists. He was moved to Chicago as part of a five-player deal in the summer of 1964. Stratton was a two-time MVP in both the American and Central Leagues.