Steve Hrymnak

Steve Hrymnak was born and raised in Port Arthur, Ontario, and he always called the area that we better know today as Thunder Bay home.

He disappeared as a young adult, to play professional hockey in New York and St. Louis, Edmonton and New Westminster, and with the Chicago Black Hawks and Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League.

He also served with the Canadian military in World War II.

His time in the NHL was brief. Eighteen games with the Black Hawks in 1951-52, scoring twice and setting up one other goal. He then reappeared in Detroit for two games in the 1953 playoffs.

Most of his twelve professional seasons were spent in the minor leagues. He was described as a good playmaker and conscientious centerman, though his offensive totals were never spectacular.

In the many years after he returned to the city, fewer and fewer people were aware of his time as a big league hockey player. He was better known for coaching and captaining the local Bearcats senior team for several seasons, including in 1962-63 when the team travelled to Sweden to win the prestigious Ahearne World Cup.

Later in life he was often seen at the rink, where he loved watching his grandchildren enjoy the game as much as he once did. But he was also known for his love of prospecting in the ample wilderness, often searching for gold. And as Mr. Fixit, often fixing lawnmowers and chainsaws.

Steve Hrymnak passed away on November 23, 2015. He was 89 years old.