List of oldest former NHL players

[kaiser matias]

I clicked the link, and apparently the Wikipedia article has been deleted. I read the discussion notes that the Wiki editors made about the status of the article, and apparently the information was considered too trivial for inclusion, which, given what Wikipedia does include, is a distinction difficult to achieve. However, I rather think that distinction is even more difficult to achieve here on this board and thus that the matter is not too trivial for inclusion here.

I remember when this article came up for discussion on Wikipedia. The biggest problem was that most of the players listed were already dead. There were 20 players listed who were 110 years or older in one part of the article, which is obviously not possible. When looked over, it was found that most of the players listed were already dead, some having been dead for decades.

Because of this, and the fact that it would be rather difficult to maintain such a list, it was deleted. However, if someone were willing to put up the effort to keep the list current, and source it with something that showed the listed players as being alive (newspapers, books, reliable websites, etc), then it would probably stay alive, and make an excellent article.

 

[member 51464]

Then again, i don't think anyone hit him that season. I saw him play against the Isles that year and no one went near him out of respect i guess. He was still mouthing off to every opposing player that came within 5 feet though

Can you imagine the **** storm of backlash that would have happened if someone drilled him into the boards or something?

 

[Nunymare]

Tony Bukovich has died at age 94.

 

[Marc08]

Louis Holmes died at aged 99 on March 11, 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta. The oldest former NHL player ever lived.

Al Suomi is the new oldest living former NHL player.

 

[judymcatee]

one of the oldest recently deceased

http://obit.bairdfuneralhome.com/obitdisplay.html?id=820516&clientid=bairdfuneralhome&listing=All

Norm McAtee (Boston Bruin 1946-47) died August 25, 2010. An amazing hockey player and golfer.

 

[RuuhkaTukka]

Al Suomi is the new oldest living former NHL player.

Does anyone have any info on Al Suomi. From Wikipedia I understand that he was born in USA but his name Suomi is Finnish and it means Finland in American. It just feels strange to have a name like that. Or are there a lot of John United States of Americas or Igor Union of Soviet Socialist Republics out there?

 

[Hardyvan123]

I asked myself the very same question not too long ago, I have a very accurate list on hand, the players listed have been contacted to make sure that they are still living, and also the SIHR is great for determining if a player is deceased or not their records are awesome. I also recommend that if perhaps any of you wanted to get into contact with former players check out the hockeydb forum, my list is also posted there. www.hockeydb.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=5 anyway heres the list.

#1. Lou Holmes 98 this year **OFFICIALLY THE OLDEST FORMER NHLER EVER**
#2. Al Suomi 96 this year (last living member of the 36/37 all american blackhawks team
#3. Don Willson 95 this year
#4. Bill Chadwick 94 this year (referee, invented hand signals) HHOF
#5. Murray Armstrong 94 this year (last living player to have played for both the NYA and the Brooklyn Americans
#6. Pete Langelle 93 this year
#7. Ernie Laforce 93 this year (played on game fore the habs 1942
#8. Oscar Aubuchon 93 this year
#9. Red Carr 92 this year
#10. Tony Bukovich 91 this year
#11. Elmer Lach 91 this year HHOF
#12. Milt Schmidt 91 this year HHOF
#13. Connie Dion 91 this year
#14. John Mahaffy 91 this year
#15. Herb Carnegie 90 this year (not really an NHL player but deserves to be on the list.
#16. Wally Stanowski 90 this year
#17. Edgar Laprade 90 this year HHOF
#18. Ed Barry 90 this year
#19. Emile Bouchard 89 this year HHOF
#20. Jud McAtee 89 this year
#21. Bill Benson 89 this year (last living player to have only played with the Brooklyn Americans)
#22. Bob Fillion 88 this year
#23. Tony Licari 88 this year
#24. Jean-Paul Gladu 88 this year
#25. Norm McAtee 88 this year
#26. Murray Henderson 88 this year
#27. Howard Riopelle 88 this year
#28. Armand Gaudreault 88 this year
#29. Johnny Bower 87 this year (charges $1 per signature)
#30. Jim Conacher 86 this year
#31. Gaye Stewart 86 this year
#32. Chuck Scherza 86 this year
#33. Keith "Bingo" Allen 86 this year HHOF (can also be reached through Philly)
#34. Leo Reise Jr. 86 this year
#35. Tod Campeau 86 this year

hope this helps.

Man that is one morbid creepy list IMO

Just saying, that was my initial reaction to it, almost likes it' s a countdown or something.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the intent though.

 

[Briere Up There*]

Does anyone have any info on Al Suomi. From Wikipedia I understand that he was born in USA but his name Suomi is Finnish and it means Finland in American. It just feels strange to have a name like that. Or are there a lot of John United States of Americas or Igor Union of Soviet Socialist Republics out there?

No Americas or Russias but there are plenty of people with the surname Canada. England as well.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Then again, i don't think anyone hit him that season. I saw him play against the Isles that year and no one went near him out of respect i guess. He was still mouthing off to every opposing player that came within 5 feet though

Having been a Whalers season ticket holder that season, I can confirm that Howe was hit on occasion. Not run, but hit. The hits usually resulted in Mr. Howe's stick inadvertenly making contact with the checker's head or face. Being obviously inadvertent, the referee would not call a penalty on the old man.

 

[pappyline]

Man that is one morbid creepy list IMO

Just saying, that was my initial reaction to it, almost likes it' s a countdown or something.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't the intent though.

nothing morbid or creepy about this list at all. A lot of great players who have been blessed with longevity. Met 91 year old Milt Schmidt recently. Sharp as a tack & enjoying life. we should all be so lucky.

Would be great if somebody could track down these guys & interview them. For sure there would be some incredible stories.

 

[Ogopogo*]

No Americas or Russias but there are plenty of people with the surname Canada. England as well.

One of the most interesting events involving surnames was about five or six years ago when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers cut veteran Tom Europe and replaced him with Tom Canada.

 

[Hardyvan123]

nothing morbid or creepy about this list at all. A lot of great players who have been blessed with longevity. Met 91 year old Milt Schmidt recently. Sharp as a tack & enjoying life. we should all be so lucky.

Would be great if somebody could track down these guys & interview them. For sure there would be some incredible stories.

Your kidding me right?

I mean I don't think there any bad intentions here but I bet most of the guys looking at the top of the list are wondering how long it is until there is a new number 1 guy or maybe I'm just kinda warped

 

[justsomeguy]

Have spoken to a dozen men on the list above, (and a few from similar lists who have since been removed from them) met 10 of them and written about a lot of guys who played on radio and in black and white. Previous poster was dead on - These guys have great stories to tell and are very generous with their time and memories.

Here's the most recent scribbling that fits the theme.

http://insidehockey.com/?p=7280

 

[justsomeguy]

A few more

http://insidehockey.com/?p=5736
http://tmlfanszone.blogspot.com/2009/02/gaye-stewart.html
http://willshockeysite.tripod.com/id8.html

 

[Marc08]

Jud McAtee

(1920-2011)

 

[nutbar]

i didn't know Elmer Lach is still alive

 

[justsomeguy]

Yes he is. Mr. Lach broke his hip very recently while clearing snow from his back deck.

 

[tikkanen5rings*]

Does anyone have any info on Al Suomi. From Wikipedia I understand that he was born in USA but his name Suomi is Finnish and it means Finland in American. It just feels strange to have a name like that. Or are there a lot of John United States of Americas or Igor Union of Soviet Socialist Republics out there?

Born in Minnesota, last name Suomi. 100% sure his family came from Finland.

 

[Aurel Joliat]

Yes his family is from Finland but he was born in America. Now he lives in Illinois

The top 5 now :
1. Al Suomi
2. Elmer Lach
3. Milt Schmidt
4. John Mahaffy
5. Connie Dion

 

[Marc08]

Yes his family is from Finland but he was born in America. Now he lives in Illinois

The top 5 now :
1. Al Suomi
2. Elmer Lach
3. Milt Schmidt
4. John Mahaffy
5. Connie Dion

The Real Top 5 now:
1. Al Suomi
2. Don Wilson
3. Oscar Aubuchon
4. Elmer Lach
5. Milt Schmidt

 

[Leaf Lander]

gaye stewart 87 passed on this yr as did vic lynn age 87 and eddie litzenberger 78

 

[Leaf Lander]

Émile Joseph "Butch" Bouchard, CM, CQ (born September 4, 1919)
is alive

 

[Leaf Lander]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Stanowski

still alive nearing age 93

 

[Syckle78]

Having been a Whalers season ticket holder that season, I can confirm that Howe was hit on occasion. Not run, but hit. The hits usually resulted in Mr. Howe's stick inadvertenly making contact with the checker's head or face. Being obviously inadvertent, the referee would not call a penalty on the old man.

That is great, got a chuckle out of that post and picturing it.

 

[Leaf Lander]

wally stanowski is alive and almost 93

I gues he and howie meeker are the only leafs left from the 1940's now.